Miami Hurricanes knock off Florida International, split season series

Miami, Florida – The Miami Hurricanes held off the Florida International Panthers in the final meeting of the 2025 Battle for the 305, winning 10-6. Reese Lumpkin turned in a 100-pitch quality start, working six innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits, striking out seven. UM matched this year’s crosstown series home run total, launching three longballs, including Daniel Cuvet’s three-run blast at the bottom of the eighth. Cuvet finished the evening going 4-for-5 with three runs and five RBIs, raising his batting average to .366, complemented by 74 runs batted in for the season, leading the team in both. The slugger also leads the ballclub with 14 round-trippers.

Kid is special, it's great to have him at Coral Gables. Hands down one of the best third basemen in the country, certainly top 3. #GoCanespic.twitter.com/ZQlVGpi5SX

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) May 8, 2025

The Cardiac Canes scored early and often, putting up runs in the first, third, and fourth innings, jumping ahead 6-2 by the midway point. FIU, however, never truly went away. Clawing into the run deficit, they scored late, coming within a run before Cuvet swung the momentum back in the Hurricanes’ favor for good.

Jake Ogden was among the night’s top performers, finishing 3-for-5 with three runs, a homer, and an RBI. Brian Walters saw action closing out Florida International to earn his season’s eighth save. Lumpkin, meanwhile, improved to 4-2, lowering his ERA to 4.77 for the year. Miami finishes its midweek schedule 7-5, improving to 30-18 overall. The U will now travel to Charlottesville to face Virginia. 

Great energy heading into the weekend ✌️ pic.twitter.com/Gp3Yarl3Xx

— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) May 8, 2025

Storming the Opposition

The Miami Mashers kicked off the scoring, hitting back-to-back dingers courtesy of Ogden and Max Galvin, contributing to the team’s fastest start against the Panthers this season. Miami added to its lead when Bobby Marsh recorded his first triple as a Hurricane during the third, driving in Cuvet.

Lumpkin cruised through the first two innings before giving up back-to-back hits to start the third. He regained control, retiring the next three batters, but found a similar situation in the fourth. This time, the Panthers pounced. Buoyed by a single and walk to begin the frame, FIU ultimately scored twice. Marc Hersh moved up the two runners with a sac bunt, succeeded by Adonys Velez’s grounder and Cole Cleveland’s RBI base hit, making it a 3-2 contest.

Javi makes this very interesting! 👀

📺 https://t.co/sEryPmZglb pic.twitter.com/xFNMgTC8II

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) May 8, 2025

Miami answered with three runs as Cuvet drove in two while Dorian Gonzalez, Jr., tacked another via consecutive singles. Despite a seemingly comfortable lead, things got bumpy for the Hurricanes once Lumpkin’s outing was over. Cleveland greeted reliever Alex Giroux with a lead-off homer in the seventh. Javier Crespo made things tense, smacking a two-run double with two outs and runners at the corners. Giroux did not last the inning, getting pulled shortly after. Carson Fischer came in and struck out Andrew Ildefonso, temporarily halting FIU.

The Panthers were knocking on the door in the eighth. Cleveland managed a two-out double off Fischer to left-center, forcing coach J.D. Arteaga to call on his closer, Brian Walters. Brylan West bested Walters poking one up the middle for the RBI single. Clinging to a one-run lead, Walters shut the door, striking out Ildefonso. Just when it looked like FIU was going to pull off a tremendous comeback, Danny Dingers crushed one over the left-field fence, ending the Panthers’ hopes of winning three of four.

Part 1 of the brief post game presser with Daniel Cuvet and Reese Lumpkin. Danny Dingers finished the night 4-for-5 with 3 runs, 5 RBIs and 1 HR. Lumpkin pitched 6 innings holding FIU to 2 runs striking out 7.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/hBYJEFlHLb

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) May 8, 2025

Impressions

It wasn’t easy, but as the saying goes, winning is winning. The Miami Hurricanes’ victory over Florida International ends the midweek slate on a high note, however, a 7-5 mark is pretty disappointing in my book. Amid a strong push for hosting a regional, their body of work will be closely scrutinized, with losses to weaker opponents serving as a ding against them. At least it’s a winning record. The next two weeks will be increasingly critical for their postseason aspirations. Miami will put its 10-game ACC streak on the line at Virginia in a must-win series against a conference opponent with plenty to play for too.

Part 2 of the presser with some questions for the starter Reese Lumpkin.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/kuEU3tC358

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) May 8, 2025

About Post Author

Gabriel Garcia

Just an avid sports fan who happens to have a love-hate (mostly love) relationship with his local teams be it collegiate or professional and also happens to be a news junkie. Mix in outstanding optimism with cold realism and you’ve got yourself a balanced cocktail perfect for champions.

See author's posts