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This showdown exemplified a classic pitcher’s duel, culminating in the very last out. Boston demanded excellence from their starting pitcher, Aidan Colarusso, who delivered an exceptional performance, yielding only two hits through eight innings, with the score locked at one. In stark contrast, Miami’s Friday starter, Griffin Hugus, faced significant struggles; he battled through six innings, consistently encountering a leadoff batter on base in five of those frames. Griffin, the team’s strikeout leader and ranked seventh in the ACC, could only manage a single strikeout today. Each inning forced him to scramble, and by the fifth, his woes came to a head with back-to-back leadoff walks, paving the way for Boston’s sole run. Miami, unable to effectively hit Colarusso, resorted to bunting in the fifth, successfully executing that tactic twice to load the bases. Fortunately for Boston, their shortstop executed a phenomenal play on a grounder hit to his right by Michael Torres, preventing any further damage beyond the initial score. This intense duel climaxed in the eighth inning with Daniel Cuvet’s decisive double on Aidan Colarusso’s 103rd pitch.
JD, renowned for his classic matchups that determine starting lineups and batting order, completely abandoned this strategy, opting for a lineup featuring six out of eight left-handed batters without alternating them left, right, left. This choice is puzzling, especially considering that Boston’s starting pitcher was left-handed. Logically, one would anticipate JD to include more right-handed batters, which could explain Miami’s dismal total of only three hits. However, this team is searching for its identity at the plate and continues to face challenges. Wind conditions favored right field, which might have influenced JD’s thinking. Yet, the display was underwhelming, with no home runs and minimal hitting to show for their efforts. Fortunately, it took just one crucial hit to turn the tide.
Colarusso delivered an exceptional performance, completely dominating the Miami hitters. He retired the first 11 batters he faced, allowing only a walk in the 4th inning, which marked Miami’s first base runner of the game. In contrast, Griffin struggled with the leadoff batter in each of the first four innings; however, that runner failed to advance beyond first base every time. It wasn’t until the fifth inning that both teams finally broke the scoreless stalemate.
Miami had not recorded a hit through four innings, prompting a strategic shift to the bunt. Bobby Marsh, seizing the opportunity created by the infield shift, executes a perfect bunt as third base remains unguarded. Fabio works the count to full before walking. With runners on first, second, and one out, Renzo catches everyone off guard by laying down a sacrifice bunt that turns into a base hit, loading the bases. This moment highlights Miami’s prime opportunity to break the deadlock. A recent game changer, Michael Torres, strikes with a hard-hit ball to shortstop. Although he doesn’t record a hit, his performance enables a run to score as Boston fails to execute the 6-4-3 double play. Miami capitalizes on this opportunity, seizing a 1-0 lead and decisively breaking the deadlock.
Boston wasted no time responding in the bottom half of the inning, immediately capitalizing on back-to-back walks. They seized the opportunity to execute a successful bunt, advancing the runner to second and third. A sacrifice fly to center tied the game at one run each.
With the score in deadlock mode through seven and with Boston’s starter still on the hill, prospects looked to Miami entering into its second consecutive extra-inning game. Miami replaced Griffin in the 7th at 82 pitches for our go-to reliever, Carson Fischer. Entering the 8th, Jake reached base first on a one-out walk, while Max switched positions at first after grounding out 4-6. After going hitless against FIU and today, David dramatically changed the complexion of the game with a hard shot to right center, scoring Max from first. Daniel, not known for his exceptional baserunning, mistakenly thought he could turn a double into a triple and was left flat-footed in his attempt. Luckily, Max crossed the plate before the tag, giving Miami a 2-1 lead.
Miami, clinging to a narrow one-run lead, brought Carson back to the mound, while Brian was ready to jump in at the first hint of trouble. The first two outs came easily with a couple of groundouts. Their centerfielder, who already had a hit today, singled to left. Not wanting to tempt fate, JD promptly turned to our Closer. Brian was never given the opportunity to face Boston’s next batter. Ragsdale attempted to steal second but was caught thanks to a fantastic throw from Tanner and an even better tag by Dorian.
Brian, once a starter who transitioned to closer, has confidently established his niche in this new role. Assertive on the mound, he required only 11 pitches to clinch the win and add another save to his record.
A three-hit win speaks volumes about our pitching excellence, particularly from Griffin Hugus, who skillfully navigated through lead-off baserunners, complemented by strong relief efforts from Carson Fischer and our closer, Brian Walters. Tomorrow, with a noon start and weather permitting, AJ Ciscar must rally his offense to step up and ensure they don’t rely solely on him to secure another ACC conference series win.
