MIAMI DROPS OPENING GAME TO THE CAVALIERS 6-1

The Canes’ impressive 10-game streak in the ACC came to an unexpected halt, as Miami faced a tough loss, managing only a single run on four hits. The offense and pitching fell short when it mattered most, especially with significant stakes on the line. The opportunity to host a regional is fading, along with a chance to finish the season in the top four. It will be crucial for our two freshman pitchers, AJ Ciscar and Tate DeRias, to step up and help turn this around, alongside energizing the somewhat sluggish batting performance we observed today. Many balls reached the warning track, and tomorrow’s game will require them to travel a bit further to secure a win.

Griffin Hugus encountered challenges from the very beginning, leading to a strenuous first inning that went on for 30 pitches and resulted in three runs off four hits. The first three batters he faced successfully reached base, starting with a walk followed by two singles, which brought the Cavaliers their first run. The Miami team struggled to respond until the third inning, when Michael Torres reached first due to an error (E6). He advanced to second thanks to Jake’s sacrifice bunt. With a 1-0 count, Max Galvin hit a sharp liner into the left corner for a double, earning the Canes their only run. Unfortunately, their offense remained largely unthreatening for the rest of the game, collecting only three additional singles in the 4th, 5th, and 7th innings without advancing past second base. They did reach second in the 5th, but, like in every other inning, this did not lead to further scoring.

Hugus successfully navigated through the 5th inning, concluding his outing with 101 pitches, contributing to four of Virginia’s six runs. The bullpen was actively engaged during the game, as JD called on relievers 4 times, with no single pitcher staying on the mound for more than an inning. It’s challenging to provide a fair assessment since the relievers didn’t have sufficient time to showcase their skills, given JD’s strategy of utilizing specific match-ups. Ultimately, it was Michael Fernandez in the 8th inning who secured the victory for the Cavaliers, delivering a two-run home run against the first batter he faced.

It will take more than Max Galvin’s 2-4 evening to rebound into the win column. AJ’s pitching needs to maintain his pace, completely controlling the opposition. The offense needs to reapply its pressure on the pedal, pushing it beyond the metal to give the Cavaliers a taste of old-fashioned Miami hitting, which led them to 10 straight ACC wins. Hold on to your socks, the initial pitch is scheduled for 4:00 PM