Miami, Florida – The combined efforts of AJ Ciscar and Will Smith resulted in a big 7-2 series-clinching win over Georgia Tech on Saturday’s Bark at the Park. UM’s starter tossed five and a third innings, leashing the Yellow Jackets to one run on five hits while punching out seven. When Ciscar ran into trouble after cruising through the first five frames, coach J.D. Arteaga called on Smith to protect the 5-1 lead in a dangerous one-out, bases-loaded situation. The reliever escaped without a scratch, inducing the rally-killing 5-4-3 double play.
Putting barrel to the ball and letting it rip.#GoCanespic.twitter.com/gDRipnEy2s
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) April 19, 2025
Smith continued to muzzle Georgia Tech’s lineup, producing another double play during the seventh. The righty lasted until the eighth, getting pulled in favor of Alex Giroux, who struck out Vahn Lackey with two outs and two runners in scoring position, decisively turning away GT. Giroux remained to close out the Yellow Jackets, finishing them off by setting the team’s third double-play.
Jake Ogden went 2-for-4 at the dish, including two runs, a RBI, and a home run. Max Galvin finished 3-for-4, recording a pair of runs, a double, and an RBI. Daniel Cuvet produced the early go-ahead dinger and compiled three RBIs. Dorian Gonzalez, Jr., and Tanner Smith both had a two-hit day, each nabbing a double with the former knocking in a run. Miami improves to 23-17 (8-9, ACC), including a 17-7 record at home. The Canes will aim for the sweep, putting their five-game winning streak on the line on Easter Sunday.
AJ Ciscar's final line: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 79 pitches thrown, 52 for strikes.
A great outing against an efficient Georgia Tech lineup.#GoCanespic.twitter.com/nnZP6G2dgG
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) April 19, 2025
A performance that deserves a round of A-Paws
Cuvet opened the scoring in the first inning, smashing his tenth homer of the season to make it 2-0 Hurricanes. The Canes came back for more, manufacturing three in the third. Michael Torres led off with a walk, followed by a bunt single from Ogden, resulting in a throwing error by the third baseman, Carson Kerce. With runners at the corners, Galvin doubled, knocking in Torres. Miami scratched two more via sacrifice flies from Cuvet and Gonzalez.
A pitcher's best friend 🫶 pic.twitter.com/0NBvgsIjqF
— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) April 19, 2025
Ciscar struggled in the sixth, surrendering back-to-back singles before giving up an RBI hit and then beaning Lackey to load the bases, forcing coach Arteaga to tap Smith. Miami’s reliever handled the tough assignment, inducing the inning-ending double play, neutralizing the Yellow Jackets. When Smith found himself in a jam in the eighth, Giroux shut down the visitors, adding to their frustrations. The Hurricanes’ hitting reemerged late-game with an Ogden homer in the seventh and an RBI single from Fabio Peralta the following frame. Giroux remained for the ninth, securing the dub.
Impressions
Postgame presser with Ciscar and Cuvet. Ciscar went over his start talking about how he ran out of gas towards the end. Compared to last weekend versus Duke he was locked in. Both players spoke on the importance of the team clicking at this stage of the season.#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/nyaOQwLXpO
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) April 20, 2025
This is the most complete win all season. If they can pull off the sweep tomorrow, it will go a long way in positioning the Hurricanes to have the first round off during the ACC tournament. For the preseason, I had them winning the series, taking two out of three. Heading into the weekend, with how much they’ve struggled, I was happy with just one win. The Duke series seems to be the turning point for the squad, and they’re catching fire at the right time. There’s no understating it, I am excited about the team’s prospects, and fans should be too.
Gus Bus Award
Ciscar was dealing in his latest start, producing a nice bounce-back from last weekend versus Duke.
You’re Killing Me Smalls
Bobby Marsh had a ruff day at the plate going 0-for-3. I’ll stop with the puns now.
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