Louisville Cardinals leave fans howling as Hurricanes fade in extras

Miami, Florida – The Miami Hurricanes losing streak continues after falling to the Louisville Cardinals 6-5 in extra innings on Bark in the Park night. Fans were treated to a pitcher’s duel until the fifth inning when the Red Birds opened up the scoring. Down 3-0, the Cardiac Canes put up five runs in the seventh before the Cards tied it up via the two-run blast from JT Benson. Ryan McCoy pushed the go-ahead run in the tenth with an up-the-middle RBI single off Chris Scinta sealing it.

T10 | @Rymccoy7 FOR THE LEAD‼️

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— Louisville Baseball (@LouisvilleBSB) April 21, 2024

Rafe Schlesinger threw five and two-thirds innings giving up three earned runs on 10 hits punching out seven. The left-handed starter got himself out of a couple of jams thanks in part to the defense behind him, however, with so many hitters getting on base it was only a matter of time. The offense was slow to take off, it wasn’t until the fifth that the bats began to show life. Leadoff hitter Jacoby Long went 2-for-4 including a double also knocking in a pair of runs. Jack Scanlon’s lone hit was a round-tripper in the seventh kicking off the rally. Jason Torres, meanwhile, singled and scored that same inning breaking his 29 at-bat hitless streak.

As a result, UM is now 16-22 (6-14 ACC). They will try to salvage the series on Sunday afternoon.

B9 | @AlexAlicea12 flashing some serious leather‼️

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— Louisville Baseball (@LouisvilleBSB) April 21, 2024

Defense, a pitcher’s best friend

Schlesinger ran into a jam in the third. Back to back Hits, and a fielding error by Daniel Cuvet loaded the bases with one out. The lefty remained in control, striking out Isaac Humphrey and getting help from his teammate JD Urso on the fielder’s choice to second. In the fourth, Rafe found himself in a similar situation, fanning Benson, stranding the runners at the corners.

Rafe is rollin'

7⃣ K for the southPAW 🐾

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— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) April 21, 2024

The Cardinals broke the deadlock midway in the contest. Dylan Hoy drew the leadoff walk, showing off his wheels when Zion Rose singled up the middle motoring his way to third. Humphrey hit an RBI single with the runners at the corners recording the game’s first run. Louisville looked poised to extend their lead but Cuvet’s quick reaction gloved Luke Napleton’s liner. The defense continued to assist with a move from Dorian Gonzalez to JD Urso to Jason Torres completing the 4-6-3 double-play.

Miami found their first opportunity of the evening to put up some runs. Edgardo Villegas was plunked with two outs succeeded by a double from Lorenzo Carrier. However, Urso whiffed stranding them.

Dog 🤝 Man's Best Friend

Double play 🤝 Pitcher's Best Friend

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— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) April 21, 2024

Euphoria then disappointment

The red birds struck again in the sixth. Eddie King Jr. led off with a home run to left field. King got a hold of Schlesinger’s slider and launched it into the darkness. Hoy’s RBI single made it 3-0 Louisville ending Schlesinger’s evening. Miami then tapped into more of its Mark Light magic. Scanlon got UM on the board after the seventh-inning stretch. Jack rocketed a solo shot to right field chipping away at the lead. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Urso grounded toward third into a seeming forceout at the plate. However, the catcher was ruled off base allowing Torres to score. The ruling was upheld.

BARK. BARK. BARK.

Jacoby Long is a su-paw-star ⭐️

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— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) April 21, 2024

Long pounced via a two-run double down the left-field line coupled with the sac fly from Lucas Costello capping off the five-run rally. Louisville countered thanks to Benson’s game-tying dinger. McCoy produced the go-ahead and eventual game-winning RBI single in the tenth.

Impressions

It’s been a brutal year for the Miami Hurricanes.  The Canes were put through a wringer, traversing a gauntlet of a schedule where six of the last seven weekends before the Louisville series were against ranked conference opponents. There were several missed opportunities. The Bullpen is where the games are won and lost. Unfortunately, UM’s had a rough go in 1-run games this season. It’s part of the reason why the year has gone off the rails. It also doesn’t help the boys are without Blake Cyr.

Hollywood suffered a broken thumb on the attempted steal in the top of the 9th against Duke back on April 5th. The loss of one of their best bats is painfully apparent. In other words, for the Hurricanes to make the postseason ACC tournament, it will be a tall order. But doable. For now.

Gus Bus Award

Great work by Jacob Long, he had the best night at the plate among his teammates.

You’re Killing Me Smalls

That homer Brian Walters surrendered messed them up. It’s the latest example of the bullpen’s weaknesses this season.