Mike Kaffee
Hurricanes Baseball Reporter
[email protected]
MERCY! MERCY! MERCY! The Canes capped off the weekend by securing the SWEEEEP, in a game-shortened contest scoring 11 unanswered runs to finalize the “hosing” of the Blue Hose in a very unmatched series this weekend. They were outscored 37-4 in a very lopsided affair that was more an embarrassment than anything else. For the very briefest of times the Hose had a 2-1 lead scoring two in the second but that was quickly erased with 11 unanswered runs that became a more or less batting practice for the 11th-ranked Canes. Leading the charge was Yoyo Morales, returning from a two-game absence going 4-4 with 5 RBIs to include his 10th homer of the year. Joining him was his heir apparent, Jason Torres, with another stellar day going 4-5 high-lited with his first triple as a Cane. Lorenzo Carrier and Jack Scanlon were the only players of the starting 9 without a hit. Five players were in double digits as they were all over the Hose’s pitching crew. The back-breaker came once again in the 6th inning with a 5 spot on the board. That was the magical inning for the Canes this series collecting 13 runs (4,4,5) over the course of the weekend. There was very little positive that the Blue Hose can take away from this series being almost shut out in the first two games and having the Mercy Rule being called today. It was a good weekend to pad one’s average but at the cost of probably dropping in their RPI ranking. Presbyterian had an RPI ranking of 162 compared to our being ranked 15. When you are trying to host a Regional playing a cupcake team is nothing but a lose-lose situation.How we fare with the remaining two ACC contests will determine host or no host. A lot might depend on how well we do in the Tournament. With only one starter it might be one tough road road.
Miami did not waste any time getting on the board with the first three batters (CJ, Edgardo, Yoyo) getting on base and Yoyo’s single to right scoring CJ with the first score of the day.Ronaldo Gallo got the starting call and for the first two innings, he was extremely effective with a 6up/6down outing. After securing the first out in the third via a K (his 3rd), he reverted to the Gallo we have seen all year where he is slammed upon with a walk, single, 2RBI double and a second walk. Gino seeing where this was heading brought in Ben Chestnutt to end further bleeding. For the shortest period of time Hose fans were celebrating with their first lead of the series 2-1.The celebration ended in our half of the third bringing the Hose back to reality with a 3run/4hit showing coming after a pair of outs. Yoyo singled with a throwing error from third sending Yoyo on second. Zach followed with an RBI double, Blake RBI single, and Dominic finished the scoring with an RBI double. That put Miami back into the lead, 4-2, and they never looked back.
Two more runs tacked on in the 4th coming on 4 hits and an error in right which resulted in a run. Miami took a breather in the 5th but exploded in the 6th with 5 runs batting around the order coming on a pair of homers from Yoyo, his 11th, (376′)and Blake, #13, (337′), and Torres with a triple.
JD Jones put the lid on the game with a walk-off 5-4 ground out with BL scoring Dominic to make it a 10-run differential and the agreed upon Mercy Rule was called ending the game 12-2 on 17 hits.
The relief work of Chestnutt, Torres, and Walters did everything you could asked from them holding them scoreless allowing just 3 hits (Chestnutt-1, Walters-2) for 5.2 innings. The BP is what is going to make or break us and over the course of the next 2 weeks, they are going to get a lot of time on the hill to sharpen their skills. Who knows when Karson will return and how effective he will be? He will definitely be on a pitch count so the BP will be the prime contributor in postseason play.
Offensively, 5 players with multiple numbers: Edgardo Villegas 3-4(RBI);Blake Cyr 2-4(HR,3RBI);Dominic Pitelli 2-5(double,RBI); Jason Torres 4-5(triple) and Player of the Game Yoyo Morales 4-4(HR,5RBIs). Additionally two more player wtih extra bases: CJ Kayfus(double) & Zach Levenson(double,RBI).
Miami is going to have to come back to earth midweek with FIU starting at 6PM. Fun time is over and it is back to work with cross-town rival Panthers and a weekend series against Pitt.
