The Miami Hurricanes won their first series in the ACC in a series sweep of the NC State Wolfpack.
On Friday night in Coral Gables the College Baseball Daily Preseason Comeback Player of the Year pick, David Thompson walked it off in heroic fashion when he hit a leadoff home run over the left-field wall in the 10th inning that ended a thrilling ACC home opener and gave Miami the win, 3-2.
The Hurricane pitching staff was battle tested on Friday night. Coach Jim Morris was forced to scratch starting pitcher Thomas Woodrey about 20 minutes before the start of the game with a stomach virus. Morris chose to start a very inexperienced senior in left-hander Daniel Sayles. He has thrown 4 2/3 innings as a Hurricane, including two earned runs in one inning pitched this season.
After Sayles made his way through the first inning only allowing an unearned run he was replaced by Sam Abrams. The line on Abrams consisted of five hits, three walks, and one earned run. If you were into betting and winning on casino games this would have been an excellent game to use those skills.
In game two of three against the Wolfpack, Enrique Sosa went 6 ½ innings, earning the win while giving up just one earned run on seven hits and striking out six.
Sosa impressed as he forcefully pitched his team to victory. Sosa retired the side in order multiple times in the game and even pitched out of a bases loaded jam. It didn’t look like Sosa was trying to do to much, he looked calm out there and trusting his defense.
The Canes offense was alive early and late. A three-run second inning started the scoring for the U offense, Christopher Barr drove in Thompson with an RBI double, then a Johnny Ruiz sacrifice fly knocked in Justin Smith. A throwing error eventually allowed Barr to score making it 3-0 Miami.
George Iskenderian (.452) continued his impressive season with some more solid play at short and a great swing that should only get better as he continues to mature as a player. Perhaps the best walk out song went to Willie Abreu, aside from his great choice of music, he swung the bat well in game two and will always be a threat with his contact ability and speed.
Game three was something to look forward to simply because it was the return of College Baseball Daily Preseason All-American Andry Suarez.
In Suarez’s return to the mound he impressed with seven strikeouts, three hits and didn’t give up a run in 6.0 innings pitched. There is a reason I had him as an All-American, dude can pitch. At one point during the game Suarez retired seven straight batters before having to pitch out of a jam, which he did eloquently.
Another thing to note is the Hurricanes were not playing a bad team by any means. NC State has very talented players but when Miami up to their ability, I would make a case that they could be the top team in the country. However, it is easier said then done.
The Miami Hurricanes will face off against Army tonight while NC State is scheduled to play UNC Greensboro tonight.
Players of the Series
David Thompson – 4 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Andy Suarez – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO
Enrique Sosa – 6.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO
Bryan Garcia – 4.0 IP, 4 SO, 0 R, 2 SVs
Sam Abrams – 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO
Miami Bullpen
