Canes rally in the ninth inning with a seven-run surge to defeat the FAU Owls 11-7.

Miami’s record-breaking 10th win was hard-won. Sloppy defense proved costly as the Owls fought back from a three-run deficit to tie the game in the fifth inning and appeared to be in control, maintaining a three-run lead, before the Cardiac Canes rallied with three outs remaining. The Sleeping Giant finally awakened in the ninth with a seven-run surge, securing an 11-7 victory over the Owls.

Miami got off to a very slow start, with the offense struggling through the first five innings. The Owl’s starter was dominant, striking out nine batters. Fortunately for the Canes, a two-out throwing error by their shortstop in the second inning opened the door for Brylan West to capitalize with an RBI single, giving the Canes a 1-0 lead.

Miami appeared to have its mojo return in the third, starting with a one-out single to Michael Torres, which initially seemed like an error on the second baseman. After further review, the ruling was changed to a hit. A walk to Daniel Cuvet followed, and a clear single by Alex Sosa scored Miami’s second run. Derek Williams then contributed with an RBI single, giving Miami a 3-0 lead, and all signs indicated that the bats were just beginning to heat up.

The Owls launched a strong rally against Miami in the 4th inning, taking advantage of what initially appeared to be a routine fly out to Derek Williams. The play, however, developed into a two-out double error, allowing runners from first and second to score and narrowing the deficit to just one run behind the Canes. Derek was charged with dropping the ball in right field for one run and mishandling a throw from right for the second.

One inning later, the Owls squared the game with an opening double. Sebastian successfully recorded the first out without allowing the runner from second to advance, but after throwing 85 pitches, JD decided it was time to switch pitchers and brought in Jack Durso. The first batter faced by Durso followed the lead-off hitter and doubled to left field, driving in the run to tie the score at three.

The score remained tied at three until the seventh inning, when Derek Williams broke the deadlock with an RBI single, scoring Daniel from second, who had earlier walked and advanced on Sosa’s walk. However, the Owls quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

An opening double followed by a one-out hit batter prompted another pitching change for the Canes. Packy Bradley-Cooney, the setup pitcher, was brought in to replace Jake Dorn. The first batter flew out to center, but was followed by a single that tied the score at four. An uncontested double steal put runners on second and third, and Miami’s third error of the game (E1) allowed the go-ahead run to score, giving the Owls their first lead of the game at 5-4.

The Owls are one inning away from victory after Miami failed to score in the eighth. The inning opened with a leadoff single and a walk, prompting JD to bring in Ryan Bilka, the Cane closer. Ryan struck out the first batter he faced, but an RBI single and a wild pitch with a man on third extended the Owls’ lead to three going into Miami’s ninth.

The Cardiac Canes, backed against the wall and trailing by three runs, began their long comeback with a one-out walk to Michael Torres. Daniel steps to the plate and, contrary to the announcer’s statement that it couldn’t be done under tonight’s conditions, hits a ball out of the park into left field. From the call, the ball is still soaring toward downtown Boca, bringing the Canes within one run with one out. Back-to-back walks and a single by Alonzo Alvarez load the bases. Brylan West stuns the Owl fans with a double that drives in two runs, allowing Miami to retake the lead. Fabio intentionally walks to reload the bases. Brandon DeGoti strikes out for the second out, bringing Jake Ogden to the plate. Jake delivers the final crush to the Owls with a bases-clearing double, capping a seven-run inning and giving Miami a four-run lead.

The Owls make one last effort to get back into the game with a pair of singles and a walk, loading the bases with two outs and the tying run up. Marshall Lipsey, who already has a double tonight, keeps the fans on edge, hoping there is still some fuel left in the tank. Unfortunately for the Owls, the tank is empty as Marshall grounds out 4-6, sealing Miami’s 10th record-breaking victory.

It was a challenging night for the offense, ending with fourteen strikeouts and a 3-16 performance with runners in scoring position. The team managed thirteen hits, with all nine starters recording at least one. The impressive numbers from the weekend now seem like a distant memory. Brylan West stood out, going 3-5 and providing Miami’s first run in the second inning, then adding to the scoreboard in the ninth with a two-RBI double. Derek Williams redeemed himself after a costly two-run error in the fourth, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Daniel Cuvet’s sixth home run of the season came at a crucial moment, complemented by Jake Ogden’s bases-loaded double in the ninth, which sealed the victory. Michael Torres was the only other player with multiple hits, going 2-4.

The defense regressed to a point where it nearly cost us the game. Errors were a major issue last year, and tonight we saw signs of that. Fortunately, our offense was able to overcome these mistakes. This is one area we can’t afford a downward trend, especially as the ACC approaches, because these errors won’t be forgiven.

Tonight’s pitching faced challenges, as the starter lasted only 4.1 innings and threw 85 pitches. The bullpen didn’t perform as strongly as in previous games, with Bradley-Cooney struggling and closer Bilka struggling in the inning. Mid-relievers Durso, Collera, and Dorn each surrendered a hit, with Dorn giving up two runs.