FSU 9, No.6 Miami 1: Hurricanes Lose Rivalry Series

The Miami Hurricanes lost their second consecutive game, and their series against rival FSU, with a 9-1 loss on Saturday night. The loss dropped Miami to 9-6 (5-5 ACC) on the season and left the Hurricanes looking for answers after two consecutive bad performances.

Florida State got out to an early lead for the second night in a row on Saturday. Miami starter Victor Mederos got two quick outs, but an error from Anthony Vilar let FSU extend the inning. Matheu Nelson took advantage for the Seminoles, hitting a two-run homerun to give FSU an early 2-0 lead.

Miami responded in the bottom of the first. A walk, a fielder’s choice, and a single loaded the bases for the Hurricanes with one out. Christian Del Castillo came through for Miami with an RBI-single, but two strikeouts ended the inning before Miami could add another run.

FSU extended the lead in the third. Two walks started the inning before Robby Martin hit an RBI-double that made the score 3-1 after three innings.

In the fourth, Miami made a series of mistakes that let the game get away from them. The Seminoles scored two runs in the inning despite having no hits, and Miami made three errors during the frame. The inning started with an error from Dominic Pitelli before Victor Mederos hit Nander De Sedas with a pitch. Ryan Romano set up to bunt to advance both runners, and Mederos threw the ball over first baseman CJ Kayfus’ head to allow the first run to score. An RBI-groundout off of the bat of Jackson Greene then made the score 5-1 before Mederos got out of the jam.

The sixth saw the Seminoles extend the lead even further. A hit-by-pitch and a walk gave FSU two-men on with one out for Logan Lacey. Lacey hit an RBI-single to score the first run of the inning, and then a two-RBI single from Matheu Nelson made the score 8-1.

In the ninth, three straight hits from FSU scored the Seminoles final run of the game and made the score 9-1. That run made the scoreline for the series 22-2 in favor of FSU ahead of the series’ final game Sunday afternoon.

Miami had just five hits again on Saturday night. Left-handed pitcher Bryce Hubbart had Miami’s hitters confused all evening. The Hurricanes have struggled to hit left-handed pitching all season, and on Friday and Saturday Gino DiMare started seven lefties despite FSU starting left-handed pitchers both nights. Miami’s best offensive players are nearly all left-handed, and that contributed to the series loss against Virginia Tech earlier this season, and contributed to the Hurricanes series loss this weekend.

The Hurricanes have also struggled defensively all season, averaging nearly 1.5 errors per game heading into Saturday night. Over the first two games of the series against FSU Miami has made seven errors and just four of FSU’s runs were earned on Saturday night.

Miami came into this weekend having won six games in a row, but now they’ll hope to avoid being swept tomorrow. Daniel Federman will start for the Hurricanes in the series finale.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Bryce Hubbart (3-2, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K)

Losing Pitcher: Victor Mederos (0-1, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K)

Save: None

(Box score posted when available)

Next Game

Vs FSU Game 3

Date & Time: Sunday, March 21, 1:00 p.m.

Hurricanes Starter: Daniel Federman (0-2, 8.10 ERA)

FSU Starter: Conor Grady (2-1, 4.22 ERA)

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: ACC Network Extra (ESPN3)