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April 4, 2009
CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The seventh-ranked University of Miami baseball team evened the series with No. 23 Florida State Saturday night, picking up a 6-4 win in front of a sold-out crowd of 3,500 at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.
Miami starter Chris Hernandez (3-2) picked the victory for Miami, tying a career-high with 11 strikeouts on the night. After allowing four runs through the first three innings, Hernandez settled in and kept the game in reach before Miami's five-run sixth put the `Canes ahead for good.
Down 4-1 after 5 ½ innings, the Hurricanes not only broke up a no-hit bid by FSU starter Brian Busch, but they were able to force him out of the game and take advantage of the Seminoles' bellpen. Scott Lawson led off the frame with a walk before Jason Hagerty hit a deep homer to left to put the `Canes down just one. After FSU turned to its bullpen, four of the next five UM batters singled. The final single came off the bat of pinch-hitter Ted Blackman and it proved to be the difference. After rolling through the right side, the ball proceeded to go under right-fielder D'Vontrey Richardson's glove, rolling all the way to the fence to allow Harold Martinez, Yasmani Grandal and eventually Blackman to come around and score to put the `Canes up 6-4.
Hernandez quickly recorded two outs in the seventh but after walking Tyler Holt, was relieved by closer Kyle Bellamy. Four pitches later, Bellamy struck out Stephen Cardullo to end the inning and send it into the eighth.
Bellamy would earn his fifth save of more than an inning, not allowing a hit while striking out five over the final 2 1/3. Bellamy, who is now a perfect eight-for-eight in save opportunities, would not allow a single base-runner on the night, while striking out two in each of the final two innings.
Hagerty finished 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI while Harold Martinez went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
Busch went five innings for Florida State, allowing three runs despite giving up just the one hit. John Gast, who came on to relieve Busch in the fifth, suffered the loss allowing two runs - one earned - in just 1/3 innings.
For the second consecutive game, the Seminoles got on the board first, with Jason Stidham two-run homer in the first.
Dave DiNatale plated Miami's first run on a wild pitch in the second, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
A two-run double by Stuart Tapley in the third extended the Seminoles' lead to 4-1 and it would last until Miami's five-run sixth.
Steven Cardullo went 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Tapley and Stidham each had two RBI.
UM and FSU will wrap up the series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Alex Rodriguez Park. Left-hander Iden Nazario (3-0) is scheduled to take the mound for the Hurricanes while FSU will counter with right-hander Mike McGee (2-1).
Game Notes
- The University of Miami welcomed back the 1999 National Championship team in a pre-game ceremony. Miami defeated Florida State, 6-5, in the 1999 championship game.
- Chris Hernandez struck out 11 batters, tying a career high for Hernandez and setting a new season-high for the Hurricanes.
- Miami's five stolen bases were the most for the `Canes since May 22, 2008 vs. Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament.
- The Hurricanes' victory snapped FSU's eight-game winning streak.
- Hernandez and Bellamy combined for 16 strikeouts, tying a season-high for UM.
- Saturday night's attendance was 3,500 - the second consecutive sellout at Alex Rodriguez Park.
- The come-from-behind win was Miami's 15th of the season.
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