No. 13 Miami Takes A Bite Out Of The Wolverines
March 17, 2000
CORAL GABLES, Fla – The University of Miami baseball team (18-8), ranked 13thin the Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches’ Poll, won the first of a three-gameseries, 12-5, with Michigan (6-7) in front of 1,356 spectators at Mark LightStadium on the UM campus.
UM starter David Gil (4-0) was credited with the win in five innings ofaction. The starter faced 21 batters, threw 94 pitches, collecting 8strikeouts while giving up just three hits and one earned run.
The Wolverines jumped ahead in the top of the second when David Parrishscored off a Bob Bobeda double to right center. UM countered with threeruns in the bottom of the inning as Kevin Mannix hit his fourth homer of theyear, a shot to right center. UM’s second run came off a single by MikeDiRosa as Kris Clute, who walked after being hit by a pitch, scored and JavyRodriguz advanced to second then third on a fielding error. He then scoredon the ensuing pitch as Mike Rodriguez hit a single to center.
Michigan threatened to counter in the fourth after loading the bases withone out before starter David Gil managed back-to-back strike outs. Gilstruck out a swinging Jordan Cantalamessa followed by a swinging Dan Donbroswith a full count. UM wasted no time at bat with a single to center by JavyRodriguez. DiRosa bunted for a single before both runners advanced on awild pitch by Vince Pistelli to batter Mike Rodriguez. Reliever Bobby Woodwalked Mike Rodriguez.
With the bases loaded, designated hitter, KevinHoward belted a single to left field, to drive in Javy Rodriguez and DiRosaand bring the Hurricane advantage to four runs. Mike Rodriguez scored asDanny Matienzo was walked. Lale Esquivel and Mannix both struck out withthe bases loaded. Clute was walked and Howard scored before reliever Woodclosed the inning, striking out a looking Javy Rodriguez.
With the Hurricanes holding a 7-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth, MikeRodriguez doubled to right field, advancing to third on a wild throw. Asacrifice fly RBI by Howard enabled Mike Rodriguez to score the Hurricaneseighth run. UM continued the scoring onslaught in the seventh when MannyCrespo hit a two RBI single to bring home Mike Rodriguez and Greg Lovelady.Esquivel and Nick Nettles closed the Hurricane scoring in the eighth with arun apiece.
The Wolverines mounted a short comeback in the top of the ninth, scoringfour runs, but were unable to overcome the remaining deficit.
The Hurricanes/Wolverines series continues on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sundayat 1 p.m. at Mark Light Stadium. UM’s student station WVUM 90.5 FM willbroadcast the series.
