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Miami is not just hot; it’s on fire. The Miami pitching, bats, and defense are sizzling. AJ Ciscar was nearly unhittable for five innings, striking out a record seven batters and retiring eleven straight. The offense dominated the field with two home runs, and four of the starting nine players hit the ball multiple times, leading to twelve hits overall. This victory marks the third consecutive ACC Conference series win. With aggressive base running, outstanding defense, and strong relief from the bullpen, Miami is undeniably back in contention, showcasing a revitalized team.
Miami wasted no time in seizing the lead. Max Galvin’s one-out single set the stage for Daniel’s 10th home run of the season—a hit that left no doubt. In the third inning, Miami capitalized with three additional runs, starting with Michael Torres’s walk. Jake not only executed a perfect bunt but also beat it out to first base. The third baseman’s desperate throw to catch Ogden went wide of first, allowing Torres to advance to third. As mentioned earlier, the bats were sizzling, and Max Galvin proved it with an RBI double, followed by back-to-back sacrifice flies to center from Daniel and Dorian, putting Miami firmly in command with an impressive 5-0 lead over the 14th-ranked Yellow Jackets.
The Tech hitters were completely overmatched by AJ’s slider, resulting in seven strikeouts and only two singles—a mere two hits, with the first occurring on the very first pitch of the game. By the end of the fifth inning, AJ had thrown just sixty-three pitches, clearly showing he had plenty left in the tank. However, as he ventured into the sixth inning, everything unraveled with consecutive leadoff singles. AJ initially seemed to settle into a rhythm with a 5-3 groundout, but was quickly followed by an RBI single. With runners on the corners, AJ’s first pitch hit the next batter, loading the bases and prompting JD to emerge from the dugout for a pitching change. Will Smith entered the game and quickly evened the count at 1-1 before executing the pitcher’s best friend: a 5-4-3 double play that ended the inning. This double play was just the first of three executed by the defense, culminating in the game-ending play that secured the win and clinched the series.
Miami responded in the seventh, with Jake recording his 5th HR of the season, reclaiming the run that Tech initially scored in the 6th. Holding onto a 5-run lead, they added an insurance run in the 8th with a leadoff double by Dorian, who was sacrificed over to third on a SAC by Brandon DeGoti, PH for Bobby Marsh.
Trailing by six, as they did last night, the Yellow Jackets were determined not to roll over easily. Alex Giroux took the mound for Will Smith to close out the eighth, following Will’s impressive performance of striking out the first two batters. He nearly completed the inning with a 5-3 groundout, but a throwing error by Daniel at third base kept the inning alive. An RBI double, which placed runners at second and third, triggered Alex’s call to the mound. After a prolonged battle at the plate, he struck out the next batter. With renewed energy, Tech started the 9th with a double and advanced to third uncontested. Renzo fielded a hard-hit grounder for the initial out, allowing the runner at third to score. Alex walked the ensuing batter, but Dorian, showcasing another extraordinary play, speared the grounder, preventing it from escaping to the outfield. He made a perfect handoff to Jake, who completed the 4-6-3 double play, prompting the dugout to erupt in celebration of their victory.
The bats were absolutely sizzling today, with three players—Jake Ogden, Dorian Gonzalez, and Tanner Smith—each logging two hits. Max Galvin topped the performance charts with three hits, including a standout extra-base hit. Dorian and Tanner each collected a double, while Jake and Daniel electrified the crowd with home runs. The team boasted an impressive overall batting average of .375, showcasing consistency and an aggressive approach to base running by turning singles into doubles. Even in innings where they didn’t score, they consistently got baserunners on board, except for the second inning, where they went down in order. The Cane batters overwhelmed the tech pitchers with their aggressive hitting, showcasing a significantly more powerful bat today.
AJ demonstrated today that a freshman can confidently handle high-pressure situations. He was relentless against the Tech hitters, striking out seven without issuing a single walk. His efficient performance kept the pitch count low at 63 through five innings. The Tech batters, among the strongest in the conference, were restricted to a .219 batting average, managing only one hit in 6 attempts with runners in scoring position. Adding to their struggles, they went 1-10 last night. The bullpen was solid, eliminating the need for our closer, thus preserving Brian for tomorrow if necessary.
Tate DeRias will take the helm tomorrow at 1:00 PM, aiming to deliver Miami’s inaugural conference sweep. The batters must maintain their scorching momentum, supported by aggressive baserunning and flawless fielding.
