June 1, 2008

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Ryan Jackson and Dennis Raben each homered as the No. 1-ranked and No. 1 national seed Miami Hurricanes defeated Mississippi, 11-2 to win the NCAA Coral Gables Regional.

Eric Erickson (8-1) picked up the win pitching seven strong innings. Erickson gave up two runs and six hits while striking out five.

Miami (50-8) advances to the Super Regionals and will await the winner of the Ann Arbor Regional between Arizona and Kentucky. The dates on the best-of-three series will be announced Monday night.

Miami is now 46-4 at home during postseason play under coach Jim Morris.

The Regional Championship is the 25th in school history and it gives the Hurricanes their first 50-win season since 2004.

Jackson was named Most Outstanding Player of the Regional as six Hurricanes were named to the all-tournament team. The sophomore shortstop hit .545 (6-of-11) with two home runs and four runs batted in regional play.

Miami jumped on Ole Miss (39-26) early scoring three runs in the first inning including an RBI double by Jemile Weeks and a solo homer by Jackson.

Ole Miss pulled within 3-2 on a two-run homer by Cody Overbeck, his 17th of the season. Raben's two-run blast to right-centerfield in the third gave Miami a 6-2 lead. It was his ninth of the season.

Raben, Weeks, and Jason Hagerty each drove in two runs for the Hurricanes, who have won seven straight games.

Nathan Baker (3-6) took the loss pitching 2 1/3 innings allowing six runs--five earned.

The Hurricanes are expected to host the NCAA Coral Gables Super Regional. The NCAA will make the official announcement Monday night at 11 p.m.