March 19, 2008

Box Score

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Sophomore right-hander John Housey won his first career game while Dennis Raben and Yasmani Grandal both homered as No. 4 Miami cruised to a 13-1 win over NJIT Wednesday night at Mark Light Field. Freshman designated hitter Joey Terdoslavich went 3-for-5 with three runs scored for Miami, who improved to 15-2 and out-hit the Highlanders, 14-6.

Housey (1-0) tossed a career-long six innings and held the Highlanders to one run on five hits. Enrique Garcia, Iden Nazario and Carlos Gutierrez combined to toss the final three scoreless innings. Raben, Blake Tekotte, Dave DiNatale and Grandal each had multiple hits. Raben, DiNatale and Grandal each finished with a pair of RBI.

Craig Binkiewicz led the Highlanders (2-12) going 2-for-3. NJIT starter Cory Kuzmik (1-3) allowed 10 runs, six earned, on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in the loss. 

Raben launched his second homer of the season deep to right center putting Miami ahead, 3-0, in the bottom of the first. Tekotte scored UM's first run on a throwing error by the catcher after he stole third and Jemile Weeks stole second.

Tekotte's RBI triple to left center put the Hurricanes ahead, 4-0, in the bottom of the second.

Matt Schlitter's RBI single up the middle scored Dom Hayes drawing the Highlanders within 4-1 in the top of the fourth, but the Hurricanes answered with a pair runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. DiNatale doubled in Terdoslavich and Grandal hit his solo home run to left center giving the Canes a 6-1 lead.

Grandal's RBI single and Raben's double down the right field line highlighted a four-run sixth inning as Miami took a 10-1 lead.

Terdoslavich's third hit brought in Ben Vazquez, who led off the seventh with a base-hit to right center giving the Canes an 11-1 lead. DiNatale followed with a triple to right center to make it, 12-1. DiNatale later scored on a wild pitch as Miami went ahead, 13-1.

Miami returns to Atlantic Coast Conference play this weekend when the Hurricanes host Wake Forest for a three-game set. Game times are 7 p.m., 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Game Notes

§       Freshman catcher Yasmani Grandal hit his first career home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Grandal now has six hits on the season which includes three doubles and a home run.   

§       Junior centerfielder Blake Tekotte stole a career-high three bases against the Highlanders. He now is 8-of-9 in stolen bases.

§       The Hurricanes have won 10 of their last 11 games.

§       Freshman Joey Terdoslavich posted a career-high three hits in the win over NJIT. He also scored three runs.

§       Junior right fielder Dennis Raben played in his fourth straight game for the Hurricanes and is hitting .308. All four hits for Raben this season have gone for extra bases. He has two doubles and two home runs and has scored six runs. He is slugging .923.