Miami Hurricanes score 15, obliterate FGCU Eagles

Miami, Florida – The Miami Hurricanes obliterated the FGCU Eagles 15-2 at Swanson Stadium Wednesday night, extending their winning streak to six. Gabe Rivera blasted a grand slam in his first home run of 2021 as the Canes scored 15 runs on 15 hits, both season highs. UM improved to 2-0 in midweek games, similarly crushing FAU 11-2 last Tuesday. Jake Garland led the team from the mound, tossing seven innings of one-run ball, scattering five hits. Anthony Vilar, meanwhile, is on a 10-game hitting streak.

Miami scored first in the second. Adrian Del Castillo led off the inning with a triple and then got some brotherly love from Christian Del Castillo, driving him home with an RBI single to right field. The Eagles threatened in the third frame with two runners in scoring position. Joe Kinker, rocking a .352 batting average heading into the contest, was unable to keep the rally going as he grounded out to shortstop Dominic Pitelli to end the inning.

M2 | The Canes get on the scoreboard thanks to an RBI hit from Delly! 1-0 Canes pic.twitter.com/tPx0CCzxXL

— Canes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) March 17, 2021

Midgame Magic

FGCU starter Gus Carter was cruising through four, dealing seven K’s before running into trouble in the fifth. The Hurricanes exploded for seven runs, capped off with the tremendous longball from Rivera. Carlos Perez and Jordan Lala led off the effort with back-to-back singles. Perez advanced to third on a wild pitch by Carter while Lala got caught stealing second on the play. After Vilar drew a walk, Yohandy Morales smacked a two-run double.

Yoyo eventually scored to make it 4-0 on a fielder’s choice due to a miscommunication at second base. Second baseman Cameron Krzeminski was unable to glove the feed from shortstop Richie Garcia who scooped up Christian Del Castillo’s grounder, allowing him to reach base on the error. Alex Toral walked to load the bases, setting up Rivera’s four-run round-tripper. The Eagles cycled through three pitchers in the fifth to no avail.

T5 | Gabe Rivera welcomes right-hander Hunter McGarry to the game, destroying the first pitch he sees over the left field wall and the Canes lead 8-0! pic.twitter.com/J6WrrRvQfQ

— Canes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) March 17, 2021

Game Notes

The Hurricanes scored 15 runs on 15 hits, committing one error

FGCU scored two runs on nine hits, committing three errors

Jake Garland: 7 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 1 earned run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Yohandy Morales: 2-for-5 with 2 runs, 3 RBIs, 2 doubles

Christian Del Castillo: 2-for-4 with a run and 3 RBIs

Gabe Rivera: 2-for-4 with a run, 4 RBIs, 1 HR

UM Hitting –  Two Outs: .357 (5-for-14),  Runners On: .458 (11-for-24), RISP: .375 (6-for-16)

Gus Bus Award

Without a doubt, Gabe Rivera’s grand slam helped Miami double up on FGCU, effectively putting them in a commanding 8-0 lead. It was a great way to get his first dinger of the season.

You’re Killing Me Smalls

It has not been an ideal year for Alex Toral. Certainly not one he envisioned so far. He went 0-for-4, dropping his batting average to .222. 13 games in, Toral only has one home run. In 2019, he led the ACC with 24 homers. It’s still early but the bats gotta heat up sooner rather than later.