No.8 Miami 11, No.20 FAU 2: Hurricanes Win First Mid-week Game

The Miami Hurricanes moved to 6-4 (3-3 ACC) with an 11-2 win over the No.20 Florida Atlantic Owls on Tuesday evening. The game was Miami’s first mid-week game of the season and saw the Hurricanes put together their third straight good offensive performance.

Florida Atlantic got out to a quick start against Miami starter Jake Garland. Wilfredo Alvarez led off the game with a triple and was driven in on a sac fly to give the Owls an early lead. Garland recovered well though and threw six innings of one run baseball to earn his first win of the 2021 season.

The Hurricanes took the lead in the bottom of the third. A hit by pitch and a walk put two runners on for Miami and they both advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch. Two consecutive RBI groundouts from Anthony Vilar and Yohandy Morales then gave Miami a 2-1 lead after three innings.

Miami put the game out of reach of FAU with a seven run fourth inning. The inning started with a double from Christian Del Castillo and he was driven in on a one-out RBI-double from CJ Kayfus. Miami then loaded the bases with a hit by pitch and a walk before another run scored on a wild pitch. Another walk loaded the bases again and then Anthony Vilar hit an RBI single to add another run for Miami. Yohandy Morales followed with a sac fly before Adrian Del Castillo put the exclamation point on the inning with a three-run homerun to right field.

The Hurricanes extended the lead in the fifth and sixth innings. CJ Kayfus made the score 10-1 with his second homerun of the season in the fifth inning. In the sixth inning, Anthony Vilar hit another RBI single to drive in Jordan Lala and make the score 11-1.

FAU got a run back in the eighth inning but Miami’s bullpen prevented any more runs and the Hurricanes won 11-2.

Miami had 10 hits on the evening and worked four walks in one of their best offensive performances of the year. Miami’s bullpen was also much improved on Tuesday night, as they allowed just one run in relief. Overall, Miami’s pitching staff needed just 102 pitches to get all 27 outs on Tuesday night.

The Hurricanes now turn their attention to a weekend series against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Wake Forest is returning from a pause due to the coronavirus this weekend, and Miami will hope to keep their momentum going on Friday night.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Jake Garland (1-1, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)

Losing Pitcher: TJ Stuart (0-2, 3.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K)

Save: None

(Box Score posted when available)

Next Game

Vs Wake Forest Game 1

Date & Time: Friday, March 12, 7:00 p.m.

Hurricanes Starter: TBA

Wake Forest Starter: TBA

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: ACC Network Extra