Pitcher Iden Nazario
The University of Miami opened its 2009 baseball season with a four game series against Rutgers this past weekend. The new Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field is a tremendous improvement over its pre-renovation shell, as lights no longer obstruct the view and concessions have been moved indoors.
Coming off its 11th College World Series appearance under head coach Jim Morris, with Morris looking for his 1,200 career win, and the unveiling of the newly-renovated Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, Canes fans can be forgiven if they were more juiced than their stadium’s namesake. No. 12 Miami got Morris his 1,200 career victory in the first game, beating Rutgers 6-1 on Friday night behind the stingy pitching of sophomore Chris Hernandez. The lefty struck out seven, while allowing just three hits. Catcher Yasmani Grandal led the offense, hitting a two-run homer, and junior-college transfer Scott Lawson went 3-4, including what would prove to be the game winner, a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning.
On Saturday, the Hurricanes played a doubleheader, winning the first game 4-2, but losing the nightcap 5-4. Freshman reliever Travis Miller won his first career game in the early game, and senior outfielder Jonathan Weislow slapped a two-out, two-run single to center in the bottom of the sixth to put Miami ahead of Rutgers for good. In the second game, Miami’s infield fell asleep in the final inning, allowing the winning run. Rutgers’ Brandon Boykin was able to advance from first to third on a sacrifice bunt because the ‘Canes failed to cover third base. Standing on third, Boykin then stole home, and the victory with it. The offense arrived on Sunday as UM cruised past Rutgers 18-9. Lefty Iden Nazario struck out a career-high eight and junior Jason Hagerty hit a grand slam in the fifth inning. “The good news is that we won three of four games,” Morris told the Miami Herald. “But we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
Posted by Brian Yates
Loading ...