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The drizzle in Boston did not dampen Miami from putting on their best performance of the year, highlighted by the standout performances of AJ Ciscar, who recorded a career-high nine strikeouts, and Jake Ogden’s 3-5 outing that included a pair of doubles. This was the offensive showcase we observed against Tech last week, where the team continued to apply relentless pressure on the opponent’s pitchers. Today, they scored thirteen runs on a season-high 16 hits, marking Miami’s 7th straight ACC win and their 4th consecutive ACC series. The only blemish on today’s brilliance, both on the mound and at the plate, was the bases-loaded throwing error by Daniel to first base following Jackson Cleveland’s gutsy performance in the 8th. Tomorrow, they’re looking for a second consecutive ACC SWEEP.
Miami wasted no time putting runs on the board, starting in the first inning with back-to-back singles by Daniel and Dorian, followed by a walk by Tanner Smith to load the bases. Bobby was hit by a pitch, marking the first of 12 more runs to follow, with scoring occurring in every inning except the 3rd, 6th, and 9th.
Boston made an immediate response in the bottom half of the inning, with a runner reaching base after being hit by a pitch. This was followed by a home run from Gunnar Johnson that put Boston in the lead. Remarkably, this would be their last hit until the 6th inning, and the only lead they would hold before Miami took full control of the game.
Boston’s temporary lead was swiftly extinguished when Miami returned to bat in the second inning. Renzo and Michael ignited the rally with back-to-back singles, and Jake advanced them with a sacrifice bunt. Max tied the score at two with a ground out to first, but it was Daniel’s RBI double that propelled Miami ahead for good. Two wild pitches increased the lead to two runs, firmly establishing their momentum.
Miami took total control of the game after retaking the lead with 7 unanswered runs before Boston took advantage of a Daniel throwing error, managing a pair of runs in the 8th. Miami put on a pair of runs in the 4th on a pair of SF by Max and Dorian, set up by Michael’s lead-off single and Jake’s double. Two more in the 5th with Michael once again entering the picture, along with Jake adding an additional two more runs from Michael’s SF and Jake’s second double. Renzo set up the initial score with a SAC after Bobby opened the 5th with a single and Fabio walked.
At the end of the 5th inning, with the score at 8-2, Miami took a timeout in the 6th. They returned invigorated in the 7th, swiftly adding a couple more runs to their total. A couple of errors by the opposing team and a pair of hits allowed Miami to extend its lead to an impressive 11-2.
Boston found itself in significant disarray, having failed to score since the first inning and managing just three hits. The turning point came only after AJ’s departure at the end of the seventh, finally giving the Boston fans something to cheer about. Will Smith took over for AJ at the start of the eighth and immediately faced challenges, throwing five consecutive balls before finally delivering a strike. He followed that up with three more balls, placing runners on first and second. If not for their lead, JD would likely have opted for a bullpen change. However, he chose to stick with Will, who responded by striking out the next two batters, only to give up a third walk that loaded the bases. What should have been a routine inning-ending ground out (5-3) morphed into a two-run throwing error by Daniel. With no other option, JD brought in Jackson Cleveland to finish the inning with a strikeout.
Miami shows no signs of backing down after the two unearned runs, calling on Gaby Gutierrez to pinch-hit for Max and reignite the energy among the Miami fans. With Jake on second base due to a fielding error in right, Gaby seized the moment, connecting with a pitch that struck the foul pole in left for his second home run of the season, effectively erasing the impact of the unearned runs from the previous inning. Despite Boston’s all-out effort in the 8th, they failed to respond effectively, unable to secure any hits or runs against the additional two runs scored by the Canes.
April showers led to vibrant flowers today, as the Canes dominated both offensively and defensively. The offense unleashed their frustration from yesterday’s mere three hits, producing an impressive season-high of 16 hits. Jake shone brightly, leading all players with a standout 3-for-5 performance that included two doubles. Daniel Cuvet, Tanner Smith, Renzo Gonzalez, and Michael Torres contributed significantly, each recording multiple hits and enhancing the team’s celebration.
Tomorrow, we are taking the field at Fenway at noon to clinch the sweep. Tate DeRias will have the honors on the mound after delivering an outstanding performance last Sunday, which secured Miami’s first ACC sweep win.
