Griffin Hugus strikes out 11 in Miami Hurricanes win over Niagara

Miami, Florida – Griffin Hugus kept the Miami Hurricanes rolling punching out a career-high 11 batters, nine of those swinging and whiffing the side in the fifth. The right-hander’s dominance kept the Purple Eagles hitless until the sixth allowing a singular hit and a walk throughout the six-inning start as UM resumed the hit parade in the 10-0 win.

Canes catcher Tanner Smith went 4-for-4 consisting of two doubles and a triple collecting three RBIs, a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Todd Hudson recorded three hits in four at-bats getting beaned and knocking in his own trio of runs. Hudson mashed the program’s first homer of the season, a two-run blast in the third frame. The offense drew nine walks putting up 12 hits improving to 2-0 for the season.

Hey….

Griffin Hugus is FOR REAL 😳 pic.twitter.com/Usfm2BCmza

— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) February 16, 2025

Fried eagle: Original recipe or extra crispy?

Niagara continued where it left off when it came to defensive errors. Derek Williams hit a sharp grounder to second baseman Tyler ViVacqua who was unable to glove it resulting in a run for the Hurricanes. Smith followed up with a bases-loaded single up the middle scoring both Williams and Max Galvin making it 3-0 Canes. Miami seemingly scored their fourth run when Bobby Marsh slid at home on the Hudson single. However, the official ruled him out and the call was upheld upon further review.

We ❤️ two-out RBIs

Thanks, Tanner! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7B1nj7MPNc

— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) February 15, 2025

Miami doubled up the Purple Eagles in the third. Smith kicked off the effort by recording his first double as a Hurricane scoring Williams followed by a two-run blast from Hudson notching the team’s first dinger of 2025. Things went from bad to worse for Niagara in the fifth.

Ethan McNish-Heider had an atrocious outing in relief throwing 18 pitches only three of them strikes. Three walks, a wild pitch, and HBP later the Hurricanes led 9-0. UM tacked on another run in the sixth after Smith led off with a triple, scoring on Hudson’s RBI single.

Tanner Smith and Griffin Hugus at tonight’s presser.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/JONiqfeAjW

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) February 16, 2025

Impressions

Coach goes over the team’s confidence and his assessment on right-handed pitcher Griffin Hugus.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/8TvGQNfihU

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) February 16, 2025

The pitching was superb and the hitting remained consistent. The team even clobbered its first homer. Dorian Gonzalez, Jr. went hitless but other guys stepped up at the plate. Daniel Cuvet managed a hit drawing two walks and knocked in a run. On defense, we had Gaby Gutierrez make a great catch at the wall preserving the shutout in the ninth. Closer Jackson Cleveland struggled against the first two hitters, however, he regained control striking out the next pair.

Gus Bus Award

Had to make sure @GriffinHugus got some proper hydration after delivering 1️⃣1️⃣ strikeouts 🙌 pic.twitter.com/88ttVhdRps

— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) February 16, 2025

I was considering Todd Hudson or even Tanner Smith for the accolade but as the game went on Griffin Hugus was just on fire making it a no-brainer. His command was on point and the Cincinnati transfer looked comfortable on the mound. Take a bow kid, you didn’t get the coveted no-hitter but your Canes debut was flawless regardless.

You’re Killing Me Smalls

Max Galvin is off to a slow start going 0-for-3 lowering his batting average to .111 although it’s only the second game of the season.