No.24 Miami 18, FIU 10: The Offense Stays Hot

The Miami Hurricanes are 28-14 (11-10 ACC) after sweeping their season series against crosstown rival FIU. Miami scored eighteen runs despite not having Ray Gil or Freddy Zamora in the lineup. Gil missed the game after taking a ground ball to the face in practice on Tuesday, and Freddy Zamora missed with arm soreness, both are labeled as “day to day” by Gino DiMare.

FIU got on the board first in the top of the first with a two run home run off the bat of Jose Garcia, but Miami tied things up in the bottom of the second with a two run home run from Gabe Rivera that landed on the track at Cobb Stadium.

The Hurricanes really took control in the bottom of the fourth with a seven run rally. Miami scored off of three walks and two batters hit by pitch and just two hits. Most of the scoring came when Anthony Vilar roped a three run triple down the right field line.

FIU pulled back within four with a three run rally off of a struggling Mark Mixon in the top of the fifth, but Michael Amditis made the game 10-5 with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. It was Amditis’ sixth home run of the year.

Another rally came in the bottom of the sixth, when JP Gates knocked a three run triple to right center field that made the game 13-5. Another run scored in the bottom of the seventh after Chad Crosbie was driven in by a Chet Moore RBI groundout. FIU made the game tighter again in the top of the eighth with a four run rally off of Bailey Mantilla.

In the bottom of the eighth Miami tacked on another four runs off of four hits, all of them RBI singles. The Hurricanes bats were all locked in tonight, and they took what was given to them by FIU pitchers and drove the ball all over the field to score runs.

In the top of the ninth JP Gates made his first appearance on the mound in quite awhile to close things out. He allowed a run and three hits, but he didn’t allow any more damage and the ‘Canes won 18-10.

Miami has matched their win total from last season in just 42 games this season. It shows just how much this Hurricanes team has improved from last year, and the potential they have for the future.

However, neither Evan McKendry nor Chris McMahon will start for Miami this weekend according to Gino DiMare. They are both in need of rest after having to leave games with injuries, but hopefully neither will miss an extended period of time.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Mark Mixon (2-0, 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K)

Losing Pitcher: Everett Hurst (1-3, 1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)

Save: None

(Box Score posted when available)

Next Game

Vs Virginia Tech Game 1

Date & Time: Friday, April 26. 7:00 P.M. Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Not announced

Virginia Tech Starter: Ian Seymour (4-3, 3.81 ERA)

Radio: 790 The Ticket

Television: ACC Network Extra