Mike Kaffee
Hurricanes Baseball Reporter
[email protected]
Virginia made it look easy, as they decisively took game one Friday night behind the strong pitching of starter Brian Edgington striking out 10 Canes, and the overwhelming hitting of the Cavalier hitters pounding out 14 runs on 16 hits, four of them leaving the yard. After a strong showing against Florida State, this past weekend, the bats were silent for most of the game only managing just 3 hits through 6 innings. Either the cold temperatures, 45degrees at game time, or the two-hour rain delay, the team just couldn’t make the adjustments striking out 8 times in the first five innings with only two hits: both by Dario Gomez(singles). By the 5th, Virginia had a commanding lead of 7-0. Gage Ziehl starting in lieu of Karson Ligon was not the same pitcher we witnessed last Saturday who allowed one run through 7.2 innings and struck out nine. The Virginia hitters in the opening three innings alone had accumulated 9 hits along with 7 runs and were clearly in control of the game. Miami finally showed some life in the 7th inning with a lead-off HR by Ian Farrow for the Cane’s first run of the game. With the game clearly out of hand, Gino started bringing in the reserves who delivered 3 hits and an additional run but even the last surge from the Canes was way too little and way too late to be a factor in the 14-2 loss to a very impressive Virginia team.
As expected, there was a bit of shuffling to the lineup based on the Florida State series. Blake Cyr moving up to bat second replacing Edgardo Villegas who was replaced by Ian Farrow in the lineup. Ian batted 5th and played right in his first start. Zach moved from right to left field. Dominic moved up one spot batting 6th exchanging with Dario now batting 7th. Dorian and Carlos also switch positions with Carlos in the 9th slot. In a surprise move, Gage got the call supposedly resting Zack this weekend but Gino stated he will be ready for the NC series next Thursday. Alejandro Rosario is scheduled to pitch Saturday afternoon and at this time a question mark for the Sunday starter.
Miami got off to a horrific start as the Virginia hitters were taking batting practice from starter Gage Ziehl. Virginia was just warming up in the first inning with a pair of hits and completely let loose in the second with a pair of HRs. What would have been the 3rd out, was reversed resulting in the next batter collecting on a 3-run bomb to give the Cavaliers a 4-0 lead. They added 3 more runs in the third, the first resulting with runners on the corners (back-to-back singles), the run scoring on a Yoyo error. A hit batter would load the bases followed by a two-run single. By the end of the 3rd inning, Gage had thrown 83 pitches resulting in 7 runs on 9 hits, a walk, and a hit batter. Only one visit to the mound late in the 3rd by JD with no one warming up.
Surprisingly, Gage came out to pitch the 4th inning and needed 13 pitches to retire the side. With 96 pitches, Gage’s day was finally over, and Sebastian Perez is brought in to pitch the 5th. For one inning he looked good and was feeling good after retiring the first three batters he faced. But just like Gage, the Virginia batters would not be denied their hitting onslaught. Four hits, three coming in succession adding three more runs to their already 7. After walking the next batter, it was once again the call to the BP. Gino wanting to conserve the BP for the remainder of the series brings in Gunther Braendel who has only pitched 3 innings the entire season. Not being utilized is for a reason. On his very first pitch, 3 more runs are added (left center) to the already three in the inning. All 6 runs came with two outs. 13-0. Braendal would also give up another Yarder to lead off the 8th for the Cavaliers to make it 14-2
Miami finally broke the ice in the 7th with a 373′ HR to right center by Ian Farrow to deny the shutout. In the 8th Gino looks to the reserves to not only give them some playing time but to see if they can provide what the starting 8 could not; hits. Jack Scanlon, PH for Carlos, doubles, Lorenzo Carrier RBI single, Jason Torres doubles. Almost half of our hits came from the bench. Five of our 8 hits and both runs came in the final three innings.
Miami’s 4 of the 8 hits were for extra bases: 3 doubles Jason Torres, Dominic Pitelli, Ian Farrow. One HR: Ian Farrow (7th). Only one batter with a multi-hit night: Dario Gomez 2-3. Definitely not a game to hang one’s hat on. We are going to have to do a whole lot better if we want to even the series tomorrow
As to when the start of tomorrow’s game is a question mark. Check your listing for the latest update. WVUM is saying a 1PM start and the ACC Network at the conclusion of tonight’s game stated 3PM. Hopefully more clarity come tomorrow.
