Daniel Cuvet hits grand slam at loanDepot in Battle for 305

Miami, Florida – Daniel Cuvet did what many aspiring college players dream of powering a grand slam in a big league ballpark leading his team to a 7-3 victory. With the game tied 3-3 at the top of the sixth, Danny Dingers, hitless at that point, crushed the ball in his third at-bat just over the left-field fence giving his team the go-ahead lead. He battled FIU reliever Tracen Cameron succeeding on the eighth pitch of a full count shifting the momentum entirely in Miami’s favor.

Big stage, big moments 💣🔥 pic.twitter.com/pd42b3SpXT

— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) March 5, 2025

Alex Giroux got the start for the Hurricanes pitching six innings allowing three runs on five hits while punching out four. The bullpen took over with the combined efforts of Lazaro Collera, AJ Ciscar, and Jackson Cleveland holding the potent Panthers offense to a singular hit striking out five. Jake Ogden and Todd Hudson finished the evening going two-for-four with the latter driving in a run.

The Cardiac Canes snapped FIU’s four-game winning steak and Logan Runde’s scoreless streak. Runde entered Tuesday night’s game tossing 13 innings without surrendering a run. Miami improves to 10-3 overall leading the all-time series over Florida International 106-31 including a 7-1 advantage against their crosstown rival in neutral site games.

It’s the little things

UM opened up the scoring with three runs at the top of the second inning. Hudson, Fabio Peralta, and Michael Torres found gaps in the infield via two-out RBI singles. The hitting chain was triggered when Todd’s grounder slipped under shortstop Alex Ulloa’s glove ending Runde’s scoreless streak. The streak ended at 14 and two-thirds innings.

The man of the hour and player of the game walked us through the at-bat and how it felt to have a huge moment in a big league ballpark. Cuvet also spoke on getting out of his slump.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/IXIgMTHnhX

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 5, 2025

Florida International immediately responded. Javier Crespo recorded the team’s first hit in the form of a towering ground rule double. After Brendan Roney singled, Kareh Valentin doubled down the right-field line plating Crespo. FIU scored again when Brylan West hit a sacrifice fly to center fielder Michael Torres as Roney tagged up. Torres rifled it to the catcher Tanner Smith but the tag was not in time.

Austin Dearing tied it up at the bottom of the fifth. With two outs and runners on second and third, Dearing singled up the middle bringing in Crespo. However, when Roney attempted the go-ahead run Torres was not beaten twice gunning him down at the plate.

Ulloa committed another defensive miscue in the sixth attempting the force out at second instead of making the throw to first base. Peralta slid in time before Ulloa applied the tag colliding into him denying the Panthers the necessary third out. This pivotal play set the stage giving Cuvet the chance to make FIU pay dearly.

Took care of business 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BrZNO2q8gQ

— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) March 5, 2025

Impressions

I really hope they do this again next year. The schools did not have a lot of time to market the matchup. Let’s say the attendance left a lot to be desired. They had roughly eight days to do so. This should have been done since December. When FIU faced UM back in 2019 for football there was a student discount. 30 dollars for a ticket is a tough sell, especially for a midweek contest. I loved the idea of giving the youngsters a taste of what it’s like to play at a professional stadium. For some, this could be their first and only time. The Hurricanes did what they needed to do relegating their crosstown adversaries to little brother…until their next meeting on April 2nd at the Light.

Gus Bus Award

Daniel Cuvet made the big league play so of course the player of the game is getting this award.

You’re Killing Me Smalls

Dorian Gonzalez did not have a good night going hitless in five at-bats striking out three times. Yikes.