No.20 Miami 8, Wake Forest 4: Home Runs Push ‘Canes to Victory

The Miami Hurricanes drove five balls over the fence to win 8-4 over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons Saturday. The ‘Canes are 36-15 (16-10 ACC) after the win, and will hope to sweep on Monday after a day off Sunday.

Wake Forest got on the board first in this game, as Patrick Frick drove in Michael Turconi after the later tripled to start the game. The ‘Canes immediately responded in the top of the second when Alex Toral knocked his 18th home run of the season over the fence in right field.

The second home run of the day for the Hurricanes would come in the top of the fifth, when Anthony Vilar gave the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead with a two-run shot to left. Miami seemed in control until the bottom of the sixth. Two consecutive doubles scored a run for Wake and effectively knocked Slade Cecconi out of the game in favor of Albert Maury. Maury allowed another two runs off of a wild pitch and RBI double, letting the Deacons take the lead 4-3 heading to the late innings.

In the seventh Chad Crosbie had a game-tying home run robbed in right field, and it seemed like Miami had potentially missed their chance to tie things up. However, that proved untrue, as the Hurricanes offense blew the game open in the top of the eighth, knocking three home runs in the frame. Anthony Vilar and Adrian Del Castillo went back-to-back to give Miami the lead again, and Chad Crosbie made sure he got his home run by driving a ball deep over the fence in right for a three run home run that made the game 8-4.

In the bottom of the eighth and ninth Gino DiMare went to Daniel Federman and Greg Veliz and both of them dominated. Despite both having pitched on two consecutive days, they should both be available on Monday due to the day off tomorrow.

Monday Miami goes for a huge road sweep that would completely erase the memory of the bad Wednesday loss to UCF. It would be a huge boost for the Hurricanes chances to host in the NCAA Tournament and be a top four seed at the ACC Tournament in the coming weeks.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Mark Mixon (3-1, 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K)

Losing Pitcher: William Fleming (1-3, 1.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 1 K)

Save: None

(Box score posted when available)

Next Game

Date & Time: Monday, May 13, 7:00 P.M. Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Chris McMahon (2-2, 4.10 ERA)

Wake Forest Starter: Ryan Cusick (6-3, 6.43 ERA)

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: ESPNU