Miami shutout in Game 2 against Virginia

Blanked by the Virginia Cavaliers in Game 2, the No. 18 ranked Miami Hurricanes appeared to have left all remnants of scoring behind from their 8-6 series-opening victory on Friday.

Despite having beaten Virginia (10-12, 4-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) seven-straight times, Miami (11-8, 6-7 ACC) failed to match its opponent’s offensive attack at the plate.

Freshman right-handed starter Victor Mederos allowed all four earned runs through four-and-one-thirds innings and picked up his second loss, while Miami fell to Virginia 4-0 at Davenport Field in Charlottesville, Virginia for its third conference loss in four games.

The Cavaliers, led by first baseman Devin Ortiz’s three RBIs, initiated a four-run onslaught in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ortiz laced a one-out triple to left-center field, scoring infielder Max Cotier, catcher Logan Michaels, and left fielder Brendan Rivoli.

Scoring on a throwing error from sophomore left fielder Jordan Lala, Ortiz capped off an advantage too large to overcome for Miami, which committed four errors.

Miami pitching coach J.D. Arteaga filled Mederos with sophomore right-handed reliever Jake Smith in the bottom of the fifth frame. The Chapel Hill, North Carolina native held Virginia to without a hit through the following two-and-two-thirds innings, yet Miami landed only two baserunners in the game’s final four innings.

Striking out looking four of eight times, the Canes saw only five batters garner one hit on the afternoon. UM also left six total runners on base against Virginia left-handed starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (2-4), a senior and former Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year who struck out seven Canes batters.

Another ACC loss gives Miami the chance to at least win Sunday’s rubber game, with a starting pitcher still yet to be determined by Miami head coach Gino DiMare. The ERA of junior starter Daniel Federman has spiked to 8.10, remaining the highest among the team’s three weekend starters.

Miami and Virginia will take the field one final time inside Disharoon Park on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.