Feb. 23, 2008

Box Score

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Junior outfielder Dave DiNatale broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth with a solo homer to left and sophomore reliever Kyle Bellamy earned his first career win as the No. 10 ranked University of Miami baseball team clinched its season-opening series against Cincinnati Saturday with a 6-4 win over the Bearcats at Mark Light Field. Miami improved to 2-0 on the season while the Bearcats fell to 0-2.

Blake Tekotte, Yonder Alonso, Joey Terdoslavich and DiNatale each had two hits to lead the Hurricanes' 10-hit attack. Sophomore catcher Jason Hagerty finished 1-for-3 with three-RBI coming on his first career home run in the sixth inning. Sophomore right-hander Kyle Bellamy won his first career game. Bellamy, a day after striking out a career-high four batters in UM's season-opening win on Friday, threw a perfect eighth before Carlos Gutierrez came on in the ninth to pick up his second save in as many days.

Center fielder Tony Campana led Cincinnati going 2-for-4 with one RBI while Jamel Scott was 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI.

Senior right-hander Enrique Garcia tossed four effective innings in his first start of the season, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out six before giving way to sophomore John Housey in the fifth. Housey would struggle in his first appearance, allowing three runs in his only inning of work before fellow sophomore Michael Rudman tossed two hitless innings in the sixth and seventh.

DiNatale was given the chance to put the Hurricanes ahead for good in the eighth. With the count 1-0, he lifted the next pitch over the left field fence putting Miami ahead, 5-4. The Hurricanes added another run in the eighth when Ryan Jackson scored on a wild pitch after hitting a triple to right field for the 6-4 lead.

Hagerty brought UM back from a 4-1 deficit with the three-run blast to right in the sixth to make it, 4-4.

Tekotte led off the first with a single to left and after a Jemile Weeks' sacrifice bunt moved him to second. Alonso brought him home with a single to left, giving the `Canes the early 1-0 lead.

The Bearcats would even the count in the third when Scott scored on a Campana triple to right-center.

Cincinnati took a 4-1 advantage in the fifth. Scott led off the fifth with a homer to left, breaking the 1-1 tie. Campana would follow with a single and would later score on a sacrifice fly before Josh Harrison, who reached on a walk, later scored on a wild pitch to put the Bearcats up by three.

Cincinnati starter Michael Hill struck out four in 5 2/3 innings. He gave up three earned runs on eight hits.

First pitch of the final game of the series is slated for 1 p.m. Sunday at Mark Light Field.

Game Notes

§      Sophomore catcher Jason Hagerty hit his first career homerun, a three-run shot, in the bottom of the sixth.

§      Freshman designated hitter Joey Terdoslavich recorded his first career double in the bottom of the sixth inning.

§      Junior outfielder Dave DiNatale hit his first homer of the season and fourth as a Hurricane in the bottom of the eighth inning.

§      Sophomore shortstop Ryan Jackson hit his first triple of the season and third of his career in the bottom of the eighth.

§      Sophomore right-hander Kyle Bellamy earned his first career win, tossing a perfect eighth inning.

§      For the second straight night, a capacity crowd of 3,000 watched the Hurricanes defeat the Bearcats.

§      Redshirt junior closer Carlos Gutierrez picked up his second career save on Saturday.

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-UM-