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A dominant sweep in impressive style. For the second straight day, the Mercy Rule was invoked again in the 8th inning in an unflashy manner. Bennett Gary received the fifth straight walk of the inning, scoring Jailen Watkins for the 15th run, ending the three-and-a-half-hour game that dragged on endlessly as the Creighton bullpen cycled through relievers, sending in eight pitchers who couldn’t find the strike zone. Fifteen walks, five of which occurred in the 8th inning, as the Canes circled the bases for the final two runs to trigger the 10-run rule. When they weren’t walking, they were hitting gaps in the defense, with four of the twelve hits leaving the park. This was the confidence boost the Canes needed, both at the plate and on the mound, to get back on track in ACC play. This was the last non-conference series. If we can’t replicate this against ACC teams in the upcoming weeks, let’s be honest: there will be no postseason. The Creighton series was a must-win, and the team delivered in style.
Miami picked up where they left off last night, scoring runs consistently. They continued to do so in every inning with the exception of the 7th, where they left a runner stranded on second. The Bluejays were not able to respond until the third inning on the 52nd pitch by Lazaro Collera with a two-run HR by Ben North to deep left to bring them to within one run of what was soon to be a runaway train of Miami runs. Daniel Cuvet started the train rolling in the first with a walk, followed by a gift single to Alex Sosa that had the ball dropping in a sun zone, for lack of a better term, between short-third-left, not able to decide who wanted the out. Runners on first and second, Derek Williams with the first of 14 runs to follow with an RBI single scoring Daniel from second. Brylan West followed with a SF to left. End of one Miami with the early lead 2-0.
Miami extended its 2-0 lead in the second inning when Vance Sheahan scored on a wild pitch; he singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a Fabio groundout. With Miami leading 3-0, Creighton responded in the third with the home run mentioned earlier. The Creighton baserunner reached first after being hit, marking the second hit batter of the game. Alonzo hit his third batter in the fifth inning, ending his day and contributing to the Bluejays’ strongest inning in terms of runs.
The response to the two-run HR in the top half of the inning was back-to-back-to-back HRs by the Canes, with Sosa, Williams, and West doing the honors, extending the Canes lead to 6-2, and the train keeps rolling.
Three additional runs in the fourth inning included a two-run homer by Jake Ogden, his third of the season, and an RBI double by Derek Williams that scored Daniel, who had been hit by a pitch.
With Creighton trailing 9-2 entering the 5th inning, the Bluejays made a final effort to rally with three runs, during which Collera exited the game after issuing a walk and hitting his third batter. Ben North once again stepped up to the plate, delivering an RBI double off TJ Coats, who had just entered to relieve Collera. A few batters later, with runners on second and third, the Bluejays recorded their second double of the inning, scoring two more runs and bringing the score to 9-5. That marked the end of the line for the Creighton Bluejays. Meanwhile, the Canes, the train kept rolling, adding six additional runs.
Miami responded in the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff double by Dylan Dubovik, who scored on a tag from second after a flyout to right by Sheahan. The throw from right to third, covered by Ben North, got past him, allowing Dylan to score from third. At the end of five innings, Miami led 10-5.
The Canes took advantage of a shaky Creighton bullpen in the sixth inning, scoring three runs after walking five batters, including two with the bases loaded. Sheahan contributed to the third run with an RBI single. The team train paused in the 7th for a pit stop before securing their final run in the 8th to clinch the series win and sweep.
The walks continue nonstop into the 8th inning. With two runs left to call the game, the final stop for the runaway train was The Mercy Rule. Three straight walks to load the bases, followed by two more walks for runs 14 and 15, as the conductor (umpire) declared the end of the line, you have reached the domain called The Mercy Rule.
Offensively, it was a good day to raise one’s average. The only starters without a hit were Daniel Cuvet, who walked twice and was hit by a pitch, and Alonzo Alvarez, the other starter without a hit, who struck out twice. The team overall hit .387 and went 4-11 with RISP. They struck out nine times with 10 left on base. Derek Williams led all hitters with a 3-5 day, missing the cycle by a triple. He also collected three RBIs. Multiple hits: Alex Sosa 2-3 (HR), Brylan West 2-4 (HR), Vance Sheahan 2-5. Doubles: Derek Williams, Dylan Dubovik. Home runs: Jake Ogden (3rd), Alex Sosa (8th), Derek Williams (9th), Brylan West (2nd).
Miami seems to still be seeking greater consistency from its Sunday starter. While Alonzo’s performance wasn’t poor, he hit three batters and lasted less than five innings, indicating a preference for someone who can pitch deeper into games with fewer runs allowed. On the positive side, he struck out six batters and issued just one walk. TJ Coats showed some vulnerability by allowing two doubles. Jack Durso pitched a solid inning despite walking two batters, also recording two strikeouts. Brixton Lofgren would benefit from additional opportunities in a middle relief role.
Miami next plays Tuesday night in the second game of the series with FAU and aims to keep its undefeated midweek record intact. It will be interesting to see who JD gives the call to. Sebastian Santos-Olson did not look particularly sharp against FIU earlier in the week, not even lasting four innings and giving up 3 runs in three of the three-plus innings he pitched. First pitch is set for 6 PM.
