No. 6 Miami Looking to Extend Coastal Division Lead
April 13, 2012
| No. 6 Miami vs. Virginia Tech April 13-15, 2012 | Friday: 5:30 p.m. | Saturday: 2 p.m. | Sunday: Noon | English Field |
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Miami 24-9 (11-4 ACC) |
Virginia Tech (23-12, 5-10 ACC) Twitter: @VT_Baseball |
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Attending a Game at Alex Rodriguez Park …
Visit Miami Miami Weather Directions Tickets |
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — After sweeping No. 3 North Carolina last weekend, the sixth-ranked Hurricanes return to the diamond on Friday for another important conference series with the homestanding Hokies of Virginia Tech at English Field.
Though the Hurricanes boast a 17-4 all-time advantage over VT, the Hokies have maintained an impressive 23-12 record through the first half of the season. After their set with Tech concludes, the Canes have two more series’ against Top-25 teams: Florida State (April 20-22) and Virginia (28-30).
On The Road Again…
After their 4-2 loss against the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast, the Hurricanes play six of their next seven contests on the road, beginning with this trip to Blacksburg, Va. for a three-game series with Virginia Tech. The Canes then host a home midweek contest with visiting Stetson on April 18 before traveling to Tallahassee for a weekend series with in-state rival Florida State beginning Friday, April 20.
Veterans Stepping Up.. .
The Canes received a big boost in the offseason when transfer catcher Peter O’Brien and graduate student lefthander Eric Erickson were both declared eligible by the NCAA. True to their elections, the team’s two captains for the 2012 season have played key roles through the team’s first half of the season.
O’Brien is currently the team leader in a number of key hitting categories: batting average (.356), runs (29), hits (42), doubles (10), homeruns (10), slugging percentage (.695) and on-base percentage (.455). Through his first eight starts of the season, Erickson (5-3) is ranked in the conference Top-25 for ERA (2.94, No. 17) and innings pitched (52.0, fifth). He has a staff-best 44:4 K:BB ratio.
Scouting the Competition: Virginia Tech…
Though their conference record sits at only 5-10, the Virginia Tech Hokies once again find themselves in the thick of the ACC standings in a tough Coastal Division. Offensively, the Hokies are led by Chad Pinder (.373 average, five homeruns, 32 RBI), Mark Zagunis (.363 average, four homeruns, 18 RBI) and slugger Tyler Horan (nine homeruns). On the hill, Virginia Tech is powered by Friday night starter Joe Mantiply (4-2, 3.31 ERA) along with bullpen arms Jake Joyce (2.57 ERA) and Clark Labitan (3.51 ERA).
GAME 1: FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 5:30 p.m.
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI: LHP Eric Erickson(5-3, 2.94 ERA) vs.VA TECH: LHP Joe Mantiply (4-2, 3.31 ERA)
GAME 2: SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2 p.m
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI: RHP Eric Whaley (3-2, 2.32 ERA)vs.VA TECH: TBA
GAME 3: SUNDAY, APRIL 15, Noon
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI: LHP Steven Ewing (4-0, 2.08 ERA) vs.VA TECH: TBA
