Alumni gives ‘Canes an unexpected test
The University of Miami baseball team mounted a four-run ninth inning comeback to defeat the Alumni in the annual Alumni game, 9-8, Saturday night at Mark Light Stadium in Coral Gables.
Sophomore transfer T.J. Hacker knocked in the game-winning two-run double scoring Ryan Braun and Israel Chirino, giving the Hurricanes the victory. Adam Ricks led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk, advanced to second on a walk to Gaby Sanchez and scored on an error by the catcher. After Braun walked, Chirino doubled, scoring Sanchez.
Tampa Bay Devil Ray Aubrey Huff got the Alumni on the scoreboard first with a home run to right centerfield in the fourth inning off UM sophomore Brandon Camardese.
The 2003 Hurricanes struck back in the bottom of the fifth inning, tying the score at 1-1. A leadoff walk to reserve catcher Greg Dini started the rally. Centerfielder Danny Figueroa followed with a double over the rightfielder’s head to drive in Dini.
Junior captain Jim Burt opened the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle. Brian Barton drew a walk before Chirino grounded into a double play that scored Burt to put UM on top, 2-1. Dini followed with a single to right that scored Barton, giving the Hurricanes a two-run cushion at 3-1.
The Alumni struck back in the top of the seventh inning, racking up two runs on four hits to tie the game at 3-3. Chris Anderson highlighted the inning with a two-RBI double down the left field line.
Freshman Gaby Sanchez ripped a two-out double over the centerfielders head, but the threat was ended as Burt grounded out to third.
Juan Llanes lined a single to center off J.D. Cockroft to leadoff the eighth. UM assistant coach Greg Lovelady followed with a bunt single down the third base line. Cockroft loaded the bases with one out, walking Rey Noriega. Chris Anderson then doubled under the glove of diving right-fielder Chirino to give the Alumni a 5-3 lead.
Barton lined a single between shortstop and third base to leadoff the eighth inning, advancing to second on a error by left-fielder Kenard Lang. Barton stole third before freshman Braun blasted a 2-1 pitch over the left-field fence to tie the game at 5-5.
The Alumni took an 8-5 lead in the ninth, which was highlighted by Rey Noriega’s two-run homerun over the right-field wall. Lang broke the tie with an RBI double scoring Jose Trujillo.
-Compiled by the Sports Information Department