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With three games remaining in the regular season, Miami finds itself in a challenging position. After tonight’s fourth consecutive ACC loss, the Canes have transitioned from being in contention for a double bye to preparing for game one on Tuesday morning at 9 AM.
Baseball is a game where winning or losing often hinges on mere inches. This was certainly the case in the 9th inning, as Miami found themselves trailing by a single run with a man on first, two outs, and Renzo Gonzalez stepping up to bat. Renzo faced a 0-1 pitch count and sent the ball soaring to the opposite field in left. Jared Zimbardo, in a remarkable display of athleticism, crashed into the wall to make an incredible catch, robbing Renzo of what would have been a sure double and tying the game at two runs each. It was a near Mark Light Moment that was perfectly timed, yet unfortunately, it was all determined by just a few inches.
Tonight was another dreary chapter in a series of frustrating nights, as the offense struggled to make a mark. Considering the significance of this series, one might hope for more enthusiasm at the plate after a disappointing weekend in Charlottesville. Instead, the offense faltered throughout the game, failing to register even a single base runner. They managed only three hits over seven innings, with their only run coming in the third inning from a solo home run by Jake Ogden.
It wasn’t until the 9th inning, with the team trailing by two runs, that a sense of urgency began to emerge for a Mark Light finish. With just four hits reflected on the scoreboard, Dorian managed a crucial one-out single, then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. He subsequently scored when Jake Kulikowski, who pinch-hit for Tanner Smith, delivered an RBI single, narrowing Miami’s deficit to just one run against the Irish. For the first time since the third inning, the 3,500 restless fans had something to celebrate, hopeful for a Mark Light finish. Bobby Marsh flew out to shallow left field, leaving the game hanging on the very last out, ready to truly “light-up” the Light. Renzo became the player of the moment, but was ultimately denied the Irish luck he needed to deliver a magical lucky charm that could have tied the game and rejuvenated Miami’s spirits.
Griffin began the game strong, successfully navigating the first inning without conceding a run or allowing the leadoff batter to reach first base—an ongoing challenge for him in recent outings. Unfortunately, he faced this issue again in the next three innings, permitting the leadoff batter to get on base. In the second inning, a leadoff double was followed by three strikeouts, easing the pressure momentarily, but things took a turn in the third inning. A leadoff single by Nick DeMaro, who then stole second base, reignited the pressure. With first base unoccupied and two outs, Griffin made the strategic decision to intentionally walk Carson Tinney, their top hitter with a .352 average and 15 home runs, opting to face Davis Johnson, who had a lower average of .286. Unfortunately for the Canes, Johnson connected with the first pitch, sending it to left center for what ultimately became the game-winning score.
The Miami hitters struggled once again to provide adequate support for the pitching efforts of Griffin and the relievers, Rob Evans and Will Smith. With only six hits in total—three of which came in the last two innings—the performance fell short of what is expected in winning baseball. The team finished with a batting average of .182, a shade less than Notre Dame’s .188. Ultimately, the game was decided by one key swing of the bat with two runners on base. No players achieved multiple hits, with Jake Ogden contributing a home run and Max Galvin hitting a double as the only extra-base hits. A notable improvement is essential for the Miami hitters to win the next two games and clinch the series.
On the rubber, it will be AJ Ciscar to get this struggling Miami team back on track and prevent further spiraling into a situation we don’t want to face come Tournament time next week. What was once an unbelievable turnabout a few weeks ago has become another Miami horror story of what can go wrong and has. First pitch is set for 7:00 PM
