No.19 Miami 8, Virginia 6: Hurricanes Open Series With Win

The Miami Hurricanes moved to 11-7 (6-6 ACC) on the season with an 8-6 comeback victory over the Virginia Cavaliers on Friday night. Miami has now won two games in a row after being swept by Florida State last weekend.

Despite Miami loading the bases in three of the first four innings, it was Virginia who got out to an early lead. In the bottom of the second a single and two doubles gave the Cavaliers a 2-0 lead. The two runs were the only time Virginia could score on Miami starter Alejandro Rosario, who earned his third win of the season and had a strong performance after a rough outing last weekend.

The Hurricanes took the lead with a five run top of the sixth. Gabe Rivera started the scoring with a homerun to left. Dominic Pitelli then reached on an error before two walks loaded the bases for Miami. Yohandy Morales tied the game with an RBI fielder’s choice before Adrian Del Castillo walked to reload the bases. Christian Del Castillo hit a two-RBI single to make the score 4-2 before Alex Toral scored the last run of the inning with a bloop single to left that made the score 5-2.

Virginia got back within one run in the bottom of the seventh. Miami reliever Anthony Arguelles quickly recorded the first two outs of the inning before back-to-back homeruns, one of which was inside the park, made the score 5-4 and forced Miami closer Carson Palmquist to enter the game to get the last out of the inning.

Miami extended the lead in the top of the eighth. Yohandy Morales hit an opposite field homerun to start the inning and Adrian Del Castillo followed by reaching base after being hit by a pitch. Del Castillo took second on a wild pitch, then moved to third on a sac bunt, before scoring on an RBI fielder’s choice by beating the tag at home on an Alex Toral grounder. CJ Kayfus pinch ran for Toral at first and scored on a Ray Gil single after advancing to second on a wild pitch.

Carson Palmquist remained in the game for Miami despite the score being 8-4 in favor of the Hurricanes heading into the bottom of the eighth. Palmquist allowed a homerun in the eighth and a run in the ninth but earned his sixth save of the season after working out of a jam in the ninth inning. Unfortunately for Miami, Palmquist threw 56 pitches and could be unavailable out of the bullpen for the rest of the weekend.

Miami got a crucial win on Friday night despite making two errors and leaving 13 men on base. The Hurricanes walked 11 times and had seven hits in a strong performance for the offense, but Miami’s bullpen continues to struggle, allowing four runs over three innings. Tomorrow, the Hurricanes will hope to continue their recent offensive success while getting a better performance from the bullpen.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Alejandro Rosario (3-1, 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K)

Losing Pitcher: Nate Savino (1-1, 3.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K)

Save: Carson Palmquist (6)

(Box Score posted when available)

Next Game

Vs UVA Game 2

Date & Time: Saturday, March 27, 1:00 p.m.

Hurricanes Starter: Victor Mederos (0-1, 4.56 ERA)

UVA Starter: Andrew Abbott (1-4, 3.18 ERA)

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: ACC Network Extra (ESPN 3)