Mike Kaffee
Hurricanes Baseball Reporter
[email protected]
The 2+35 minute weather delay lasted a lot longer for the Miami Hurricanes, as a black ominous cloud lingered over the Miami dugout and continued throughout the next two hours and 27 minutes. Miami unable to mount any offensive attack fell to the Texas Longhorns 4-1 and now must win the next three straight games to advance to the next level. Texas starter, Lebarron Johnson was just too much for the Miami nine throwing a 129 pitch complete game, and striking out 8 along the way. Miami had the opportunity in the first two innings to cause damage having bases loaded twice but being unable to put up a score. The Longhorns stuck hard and fast in the first three innings taking advantage of a very ineffective start from Karson Ligon who gave up four runs over the course of three innings that he was only able to manage. He was on a pitch count of approx 70 pitches but only managed to get to 47 before his not fully recovered arm failed him. Karson saw limited duty against Wake during the ACC Tournament returning for the first time to the mound since 28 March. At that time it seemed that he was not fully ready to return to the mound and tonight was verification that he is not ready to resume duties as a starter. Before being relieved he gave up five hits including a pair of doubles along with a pair of HRs. After hitting their catcher in the head in the third after an initial single and balk, it was time to realize that Karson is not yet back. Rafe Schlesinger came in relief and carried the team the rest of the way throwing a career-high 7 innings of shutout ball, striking out nine Longhorns without a walk with 4 scattered hits. The damage unfortunately was done in the first 3 innings and the Canes only response was a solo HR by Dominic in the 4th. The loss propels Miami into the loser’s bracket and will meet the Ragin Cajuns at high noon to stay alive.
Life for the Canes was as dark as that Black Cloud that lingered over the dugout. There was no spirit and they played flat throughout the entire game. Their nemesis went by the name Lebarron Johnson, a pitcher for the Texas Longhorns. He had the book on our floundering hitters who were only able to scrape up 7 hits, four coming in the first four innings including the lone score for the evening. After Dominic’s lone solo shot in the 4th, Johnson retired the next 11 batters before CJ managed to find an opening with a single. Miami saw some light in the 8th in getting back into the game with Zach 2 out triple only to have Lorenzo Carrier ground out 1-3. Dominic led off the 9th with a single and thoughts of a Magical Moment might be in the works only to end like the whole game seem to project with a 4-6-3 DP. It was a fitting end to a very uninspiring evening with starter Karson Ligon and the silence not only from the dugout but from the Miami bats.
Offensively, not much to toot one’s horn. Only Dominic Pitelli with multiple numbers: 3-4(HR,RBI). He appeared to be the only one ready to come to play tonight. Zach was the only other Cane with an extra-base hit coming in the 8th with a triple. A very sorrowful performance from a team that has been light’s out offensively.
The only bright spot in tonight’s contest was the brilliance of Rafe Schlesinger. He pitched the best game as a Cane and a look of filling the void for that starting pitcher that has plagued us all season.
If Miami expects to get back into the thick of battle, they better come out aggressive and with a killer instinct which they did not have tonight. You can bet Louisiana will be pumped and if we are not, expect a repeat from last year’s Regional against Arizona knocking us out of any hope of reaching Omaha.
First pitch weather permitting High Noon.
