No.7 Miami 2, Towson 1: Van Belle Dominant Again as ‘Canes Get Friday Win

Brian Van Belle was fantastic again for Miami as they got their sixth win of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Towson Tigers.

Van Belle had a career high 14 strikeouts. He gave Miami seven solid innings and he continues to put the Hurricanes in a great spot to win every time he takes the mound. Van Belle has 33 strikeouts in just 19 innings pitched this season.

Miami wasted a few run-scoring opportunities in the early innings, but got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Tony Jenkins reached second with one out after an infield single and an error by the third baseman. Luis Tuero then drove him in with an RBI double, and Jordan Lala followed with an RBI single to make the score 2-0 Miami through five.

The Hurricanes had a chance to add to the lead in the seventh. Anthony Vilar and Jordan Lala worked walks to put two runners on with two out. However, Jared Thomas flew out to left to end the inning with the lead still at 2-0.

Tyler Keysor worked a great top of the eighth to hold the score at 2-0. In the top of the ninth Gino DiMare gave the ball to Carson Palmquist who tried to get his first save as a Hurricane. Palmquist got a quick strikeout and a flyout, but then he hit a batter with a pitch and allowed an RBI double to make the score 2-1. Palmquist was then replaced by Daniel Federman, who came in and got the last out of the game to give Miami the 2-1 win.

The Hurricanes lineup struggled at the plate again tonight. Despite that, the ‘Canes continue to battle when they don’t play their best, and for the second time this week managed to win a game where they didn’t play as well as they could have. Not every game can be a blowout, and its’ good that Miami has been able to get close wins even when they aren’t at their best.

Game Stats

Winning Pitcher: Brian Van Belle (2-0, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 14 K)

Losing Pitcher: Josh Seils (0-3, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)

Save: Daniel Federman (2)

(Box Score posted when available)

Next Game

Vs Towson Game 2

Date & Time: Saturday, February 29, 7:00 P.M. Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Chris McMahon (1-0, 2.25 ERA)

Towson Starter: Nick Ramanjulu (1-1, 1.69 ERA)

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: ACC Network Extra