Miami 6, Appalachian State 1: ‘Canes Build Momentum Ahead of ACC Play

The Miami Hurricanes moved to 10-2 on the season with a win over the Appalachian State Mountaineers on Wednesday night. Last season, Miami didn’t get their tenth win of the season until March 23rd, which was the twenty-first contest of 2018. This year it took Miami just twelve games and seventeen fewer days to reach the ten-win threshold.

To get there Miami played a solid game that was built off of a great start by Slade Cecconi. The freshman allowed just one run over six innings in which he struck out eight batters, a new career high for him. The run came in the top of the sixth after Cecconi allowed two singles, but besides that one small hiccup he dominated the entire night.

The Hurricanes started the game out well at the plate. In the bottom of the first Jordan Lala led off the inning with a solo home run to give Miami a 1-0 lead. Miami missed a few opportunities in the next few innings: stranding three batters over the first three frames.

However, Miami got past their momentary struggles with runners on base and tacked on a few more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Three consecutive walks started the inning for Miami, and with one out the ‘Canes took advantage of their bases-loaded opportunity when Tony Jenkins drove a run in by hitting a sac-fly. Jordan Lala followed with an RBI single to make the game 3-0 after four.

After the Mountaineers scored their lone run of the evening in the top of the sixth Miami responded by tacking on a few runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Two singles from Ray Gil and Luis Tuero gave Miami two men on with no outs, and both men advanced into scoring position after a wild pitch. Miami appeared to be in serious danger of missing the chance to score after Chad Crosbie and Tony Jenkins both struck out, but Jordan Lala hit a grounder that forced a bad throw from the pitcher, allowing both runners to score to make the game 5-1.

Miami added their final run in the bottom of the seventh. A walk and a single once again gave Miami two men on with no out, and a two-out RBI single from Luis Tuero made the game 6-1 Hurricanes.

The ‘Canes saw signs of improvement out of their bullpen again this evening. JP Gates and Greg Veliz both pitched solid innings, and Daniel Federman worked out of a jam in the ninth inning, after Mark Mixon struggled, to earn his third save of the season.

Now Miami enters ACC play on a five game winning streak. The competition will undoubtedly be tougher over the next several weekends, but Miami is swinging the bat as well as anybody right now, and that should give them a chance in every game they play. The Hurricanes have another chance to show just how they good they are when they play Georgia Tech this weekend. They’ll need to be poised and ready to take advantage of every opportunity presented to them.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Slade Cecconi (2-0, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

Losing Pitcher: Cameron Kepley (0-3, 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K)

Save: Daniel Federman (3)

(Box Score attached when available)

Next Game

Vs Georgia Tech Game 1

Date & Time: Friday, March 8, 7:30 P.M. Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Evan McKendry (3-0, 1.89 ERA)

Georgia Tech Starter: Xzavion Curry (2-0, 1.80 ERA)

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: ACC Network Extra

Additional Info: Miami will be retiring Jim Morris’ legendary No.3 before the game on Friday evening.