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Miami extends its winning streak to five, remaining undefeated in its seventh midweek game by defeating FAU 10-6. The highlight of the game came at its conclusion: a remarkable 8-3 double play.
Miami, in search of a mid-week starter, turned to the bullpen. It was pitched by committee, with no one going beyond two innings on the mound. Jake Dorn was the initial call, throwing 20 pitches and allowing only one hit. Besides not having a designated mid-week starter, the Canes also lack a solid Sunday starter, and Jake might have been auditioning for that role. Miami built a 4-0 lead at the end of two innings and then brought in Tate DeRias, who has been struggling all season—and tonight was no different—lasting just one inning and letting the Owls back into the game by giving up 4 runs on 5 hits. JD was too slow in removing Tate after he loaded the bases following the first four batters he faced. Hopefully, JD has finally understood that Tate should be the last reliever he calls on when making a bullpen move. This has not been his year, as his struggles only worsen. After giving up a two-run homer in the 4th, it finally hit that enough is enough, as the Owls cut the 5-run deficit to two. Fortunately for the Canes, the Owl bullpen was struggling, and the offense responded by regaining the runs Tate managed to give away. Fifteen pitchers, seven by Miami, were cycled through the system in another almost three-and-a-half-hour game.
Defense was costly for both sides. Miami gained an early lead in the first inning with a man on second. Alex Sosa hit a grounder to second that was mishandled, allowing Jake Ogden to score from second after he had walked earlier, advancing to second on a 5-3 ground out by Daniel Cuvet. In the third inning, Miami committed its first of three errors, and it could have had four if not for a generous scoring decision. This allowed FAU to get back into the game with a bases-loaded single mishandled by Fabio in center, which resulted in an additional run. An error by Jake and a wild pitch by Jack Durso in the 7th inning cost Miami two more runs. Miami narrowly escaped in the 5th inning on a failed pickoff attempt at first, and another mishandle by Jake in the 9th, which allowed them to survive without further damage.
Miami in the second inning sent 8 batters to the plate, scoring four runs to extend their lead to 5-0. Back-to-back walks to Sheahan and Alvarez to open the inning set up their second run, with Dubovik’s single to right. Ogden’s sacrifice fly to center scored Miami’s second run, and with runners on second and third, Alex delivered a two-run double.
Jake pitched two solid innings before handing the ball over to Tate DeRias, who quickly allowed two of the five runs, loading the bases with the first four batters. A single to center, scoring the Owls’ first run. When Fabio mishandled the single in center, another run scored. The inning was kept from getting worse when a liner to second doubled up the runner at second base. Miami responded in the bottom of the inning by loading the bases on three straight walks and scoring a run on Dubovik’s groundout to second, making the score 6-2.
Tate’s evening took a downturn in the 4th inning, which started with a single and ended with the next batter smashing a ball over the center field wall for two runs, bringing his night to an end. TJ Coats was brought in to limit the damage, pitching for two innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out two. Miami responded in the bottom of the inning by loading the bases with singles from Cuvet and Williams and a walk from Sosa. After two consecutive outs with the bases still loaded, a wild pitch allowed Daniel to score, and Alvarez singled to left-center, driving in two more runs. By the end of four innings, Miami had regained the five-run lead it held after two innings, with the score standing at 9-4.
The pace slowed after the 4th inning. A one-out double by Williams in the 6th set up Miami’s next and final score. After West’s flyout to center, Sheahan’s single to shallow field brought in Miami’s 10th run.
Trailing 10-4 in the 7th, the Owls made a last-ditch effort to get back in the game. Miami contributed defensively with a man on second when Jake mishandled a grounder, scoring one. After a pitching change—Brixton Logren to Jack Durso-a double and a WP brought in the second run for the inning, cutting the score to 10-6.
The game’s highlight defensive moment came at the end with an unexpected double play. FAU had a runner on first with one out. Fabio caught a deep fly to center, and the runner at first, not paying attention, was caught flat-footed during a slow return to the base as the ball passed him, completing the double play. The play was reviewed, and the call was confirmed. It was an exciting and surprising ending, securing Miami’s perfect mid-week season at 7-0.
Offensively, three players contributed with multiple hits: Daniel Cuvet went 2-5, Derek Williams was 2-4, and Player of the Game Alonza Alvarez went 2-2 with a bases-loaded hit that scored two runs. The only extra-base hits were by Alex Sosa and Derek Williams, both with doubles. No home runs were hit tonight.
Miami plays Clemson Thursday night at 7 PM. Important series for both teams. Clemson got swept last weekend by Notre Dame and is looking to rebound, while Miami aims for its first ACC series win. Clemson is one game behind Miami in the ACC standings.
