No.9 Miami 6, NC State 4: Hurricanes Bounce Back with Road Win

The Miami Hurricanes moved to 4-4 (2-3 ACC) on the season with a 6-4 win over the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Alejandro Rosario was again spectacular in his third collegiate start and the Miami offense, which had been struggling, scored six runs on nine hits.

The Hurricanes got out to a quick start in the first inning. Jordan Lala was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and Anthony Vilar followed him with a single to give Miami two baserunners. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and then a groundout from Yohandy Morales scored Miami’s first run of the game. Adrian Del Castillo then extended the lead to two with an RBI-single to rightfield.

NC State responded quickly in the bottom of the first. Austin Murr doubled on Alejandro Rosario’s first pitch of the game before Tyler McDonough, who has had a phenomenal series, tied the game with a two-run homerun.

Both starting pitchers settled in after the early scoring. Rosario finished his day with a five inning outing where he allowed just three runs and struck out five batters. Rosario has been excellent for Miami so far this season and is one of the early competitors for ACC Freshman of the Year.

Miami retook the lead with a two-out rally in the fifth inning. Dominic Pitelli hit a single to start the rally as part of a two hit day for the freshman. Back-to-back RBI-doubles from Jordan Lala and Anthony Vilar then put Miami in the lead.

The Wolfpack tied up the game again with two runs over the next two innings. In the bottom of the fifth two singles scored a run for NC State. The bottom of the sixth saw Miami think they were out of the inning with a double play, before the NC State runner was ruled safe at second. The Wolfpack took advantage of the replay review, scoring the runner with a J.T. Jarrett RBI-single.

Miami retook the lead in the eighth. Yohandy Morales led off the inning with a double and then moved to third on a wild pitch. He scored when Adrian Del Castillo hit an RBI-groundout. The Hurricanes extended the lead to two when CJ Kayfus hit a homerun to left for his first career hit as a Hurricane.

Carson Palmquist closed out the game with two scoreless innings to earn Miami the win. The Hurricanes played much better on Saturday then they did on Friday. The Hurricanes made only one error in the game and Miami’s pitching walked just three batters. Miami also had a better day at the plate, with nine hits compared to yesterday’s four.

On Sunday, Miami will look for their first ACC series win of the season. Freshman Victor Mederos will start for the Hurricanes.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Anthony Arguelles (1-0, 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K)

Losing Pitcher: Canaan Silver (0-1, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K)

Save: Carson Palmquist (3)

(Box Score posted when available)

Next Game

Date & Time: Sunday, March 7, 1:00 p.m.

Hurricanes Starter: Victor Mederos (0-0, 4.35 ERA)

NC State Starter: TBA

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: ACC Network Extra (ESPN 3)