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Miami completed its four-game SWEEP in a dramatic fashion, rewriting the record books in home runs, runs scored, and individual achievements. Had two of the games not been decided by the Mercy Rule, the weekend totals would have been even more remarkable. Over the four-game series, Miami scored 73 runs on 59 hits. The team hit five home runs in a single inning, setting a new record. Overall, there were nine home runs, tying the team record from 1979. Daniel Cuvet hit two home runs in one inning, matching Kevin Brown’s feat from 1979. Dylan Dubovik collected five hits, including two doubles—likely a record or tied for one. The 30 runs scored in this game are the second-highest in a single game, only surpassed by Miami’s 33 runs against CW Post in 2000. Undoubtedly, this weekend was historic, breaking or tying multiple school records. Additionally, after nine games, the team has scored 144 runs, another school record. This was truly a historic day that Miami fans will cherish for years to come.
Tate DeRias received the start. Following his performance last week, I expected him to be closely monitored. However, with Miami’s offensive output, his leash was loosened. He pitched 89 pitches over 3-1 innings, striking out five batters but issuing four walks, hitting two batters, and surrendering one run. Given the presence of more experienced pitchers for the weekend rotation against Florida, I don’t see Tate in that role. With Rob Evans now available, I suspect JD might choose to shift in that direction sooner rather than later. Tate could be better suited for midweek appearances until his statistics improve.
Miami quickly established an early lead, with its first five batters reaching base before recording an out. This prompted a pitching change after just 20 pitches. By the end of the first inning, Miami was ahead 5-0. The team scored in every inning except the second, with their leadoff hitter reaching safely in seven of the eight innings. They also batted around in the 4th and 7th innings.
Lafayette narrowed the gap to 4 runs in the third inning with a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded. Miami then responded with 25 unanswered runs, extending their lead to 30-1 by the ninth inning. Erick Peralta was brought in to finish the game, but the Leopards would not leave the Gables before scoring 4 runs, capped by a 2-run HR to right as a final gesture of appreciation for the stumping they received this weekend.
After being shut out in the second inning, the team responded with two runs in the third before producing a historic fourth inning that decided the game. Seventeen batters went to the plate—one shy of last week—and one set a new record with five home runs. The highlight included two by Daniel Cuvet, the second a grand slam, along with homers from Derek Williams and Alex Sosa, who followed Daniel’s grand slam, and Brylan West, who ended the inning with a three-run blast. Ten of the twelve runs scored in the fourth came from the long ball.
Miami scored a run in the fifth inning on a leadoff double by Fabio, followed by a score on two wild pitches. In the sixth, consecutive walks to Alvarez and Jeffrey set up Dylan Dubovik’s fifth hit of the game—a two-run double—before Jailen’s sacrifice fly to right field brought home another run, making the score 22-1.
In the 7th inning, the bats were once again active downtown. Gabriel Milano opened the inning with a deep shot to right field for his second home run of the year and Miami’s 23rd run. Two batters later, Bennett Gary also hit to right, his first home run, contributing to Miami’s 24th run. Not to be outdone, Alonzo Alvarez followed Bennett with a deep center-field blast, marking his second home run of the season and the third of the inning. Miami nearly added a fourth HR from Dylan Dubovik’s at-bat, but the ball was caught against the left wall. Fabio then recorded the 26th run of the inning with a BL RBI single, bringing the score to 26-1.
Bennett began the eighth inning with a single, followed by two walks to load the bases. Jailen Watkins joined the eight other players to hit home runs this game, delivering a grand slam—his first of the year—and securing Miami’s 30th run of the game.
Erick Peralto, the last of six pitchers for today, was brought in the 9th inning to secure the win and complete the SWEEP. The ending did not unfold as fans had hoped, as the Leopards demonstrated they still had some fight remaining in their bats. An opening double, followed by a DeGoti error—his second of the game—set up Lafayette’s scoring opportunity. The error resulted in a run. A strikeout would have ended the game, but instead, it led to an RBI single and a two-run homer to right field, giving Lafayette a final highlight after what had been a challenging afternoon for the visiting Leopards. The final score was 30-4.
Cian Copeland was the only starter without a hit today. The offensive standout was Dylan Dubovik, who went 5-6 with two doubles. Of the 25 hits, 14 were extra-base, including nine home runs. We experienced back-to-back home runs twice: (Cuvet/Sosa, Gary/Alvarez). There were two grand slams hit by Covert and Watkins. Five doubles came from (Peralta, Torres, Dubovik (2), Watkins). Eight players recorded at least two hits. The RBI leaders were Brylan West with five, Cuvet with six, and Watkins with seven. The team had only six strikeouts and a batting average of .510 (25-49). Runners in scoring position: 9-25.
The bullpen delivered a strong performance once again, with the exception of Peralta. Guidewell, Durso, Lofgren, and Fernando each allowed no runs and only three hits. Today’s pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts. Although Tate surrendered just one run, he threw too many pitches and struggled with control. With 89 pitches, he was relieved with BL after only one out in the third inning, which is not what we expect from a starting pitcher.
With the cupcake games behind us, it’s time to focus on serious baseball, starting with the away game against FAU, a team that has traditionally challenged us. Besides UCF, this will be one of our real tests. The upcoming series against the Gators next week will be the true measure of how competitive we really are against tough opponents. Following that, the ACC schedule begins with Florida opening the series at home against Boston.
