Carlos Perez Walks Off NJIT on Canes Baseball Opening Night

Miami, FL – Despite blowing an early five-run lead, the Cardiac Canes won 8-7 on a historic opening night thanks to Carlos Perez walking off the NJIT Highlanders. Perez finished the night going two-for-five with a run, an RBI, and a double. Friday night ace Gage Ziehl squared off against Highlander hurler Aidan Kidd starting off the evening with three perfect innings fanning six. Albert Choi brought the productive performance to an abrupt halt leading off the fourth smashing a solo shot. Kevin Putsky also went deep capping off a four-run push and pulling New Jersey to within a run.  Ziehl wouldn’t last past the fifth concluding the outing tossing four and two-third innings, giving up seven runs (all earned) on seven hits.

The Legend of Litos™️ pic.twitter.com/vrqzlK8eh1

— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) February 17, 2024

The Highlanders recorded three more runs taking the lead. Miami began the rally by tying it in the seventh setting the stage for the ninth inning magic. Victorious, coach J.D. Arteaga notches his first win as the head skipper. It was also a memorable night for both Daniel Cuvet and JD Urso recording their first-ever college career hits as Hurricanes.

Cruising to a bruising

Dorian Gonzalez Jr. scored the first runs of the season with the two-out bases-clearing double. Gonzalez struck deep to left-center field past Ty Sallie who was unable to make the leaping catch. Miami tacked on another in the second thanks to a sac fly from Blake Cyr scoring Perez. Lorenzo Carrier had the honor of mashing the first home run of the season lifting it over right-center field in the third, making it 5-0 Miami.

CLEAR THE BASES, DGO 🫡

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— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) February 17, 2024

Things quickly turned in the fourth.

New Jersey responded with two dingers putting up four runs. A homer by leadoff hitter Choi eliminated the shutout. Putsky stroked one to right-field for the three-run blast. The sudden dramatic shift in momentum changed the contest from a perfect game to a one-run battle.

Things worsened in the fifth. With two outs and a runner on, Ziehl beaned Luke Longo before surrendering an RBI double to Ray Ortiz. A wild pitch and an RBI base hit to left from Andrew Eppinger resulted in the Hurricanes losing the lead. Ziehl was shortly pulled thereafter.

JD when asked about Gage Ziehl's sudden struggle after throwing three perfect innings.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/SEjrQbBBa4

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) February 17, 2024

Rally

Hollywood injected some much-needed morale, hammering the ball straight up the middle for the towering solo shot, his first of the season bringing Miami to within one after the seventh-inning stretch. UM knotted it up when Jacoby Long tagged up from third on the Jason Torres sac fly. The play at the plate was reviewed, however, the call stood. Perez attempted to squeeze in a bunt with a runner at third but the attempt failed ending the inning.

Carlos Perez on how it felt to hit the walk off homer. #GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/Zf9t9F11zM

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) February 17, 2024

Cyr nearly clobbered it over the left field fence at the bottom of the eighth only to see it gloved by Sallie at the warning track denying two precious runs. Fortunately for the home crowd, it wouldn’t matter. Miami loaded the bases thanks in part to a pair of well-laid bunt singles setting up Perez to be the hero. 

Impressions

I thought the Hurricanes were going to run away with it but then they wouldn’t be called the Cardiac Canes would they? It was surprising to see Ziehl fall so rapidly but that’s baseball for you. All it takes is one swing. A big kudos to the bullpen, the fellas got their first taste of important relief work and they made sure the Highlanders only scratched one hit the rest of the night. For those who might’ve forgotten, Miami lost last year’s season opener so no need for any negativity. Yet. Fully expect a sweep going forward as well as next weekend. There should be no setbacks until the Gators.

Gus Bus Award

Within this thriller, Dorian Gonzalez Jr. went two-for-four with a three-run double. He’ll get this season’s first Gus Bus Award.

You’re Killing Me Smalls

You could make the argument for Gage but at least he started stellar. Lucas Costello had a hitless night. Sure, he drew two walks, however, I was looking for more contact at the dish.

📸Credit: Canes Baseball