Miami Hurricanes Outlast Connecticut Huskies in Slugfest

Miami, Florida – The Miami Hurricanes battled to dodge the brooms winning 15-11 in a high-scoring affair over the persistent Connecticut Huskies on Sunday. UM overcame a wildly inconsistent performance from their pitching on a weekend that saw the Cardiac Canes surrender 30 runs, 19 of those with two outs. Brian Walters lasted four and a third innings giving up five runs on seven hits including two home runs. None of the starters went deep never getting beyond the fifth inning. The bullpen performed well Friday evening albeit their deployment came when the damage was already done, however, they faltered frequently in the second and third games.

A no-doubter over the fence. Hurricanes mashing away. #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/quba9t4EAS

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 9, 2025

After a slow start on Friday, the Hurricanes generated runs on the board for the rest of the series with an exclamation for the finale producing 15 runs on 13 hits. Down 2-0 early, Miami responded with five runs in the second frame knocking out the starter Tommy Ellisen and forcing UCONN to call on two relievers. Max Galvin crushed his third home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center field. Tanner Smith switched into attack mode following two failed bunt attempts lining an RBI single towards the left side plating Derek Williams. The ballclub tacked two more when Dorian Gonzalez Jr. and Daniel Cuvet drew bases-loaded walks. UM kept its lead but the Huskies never went away nipping at the Hurricanes’ heels.

Jake Ogden went 3-for-5 driving in five runs including a homer and a double. Williams also finished 3-for-5 consisting of one RBI and two doubles. Both Cuvet and Galvin recorded a hit manufacturing a combined five RBIs. Miami improves to 12-5 and will hit the road for a midweek meeting against UCF followed by a trip to Wake Forest to open ACC play.

Asked J.D. Arteaga on his take away from the pitching this weekend. None of the starters went deep and the team gave up a whopping 30 runs during the series 19 of those with 2 outs.#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/aUoA1HtBJH

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 9, 2025

Stubborn resistance

Grant MacArthur scored for the Huskies in the first airmailing a two-run homer over the left-field fence. Ahead 5-2 in the third and with the bases loaded, Ogden got on safely thanks to a fielding error by the Huskies’ left fielder Sam Biller allowing Bobby Marsh to cross the dish. Up 6-2, Cuvet poked one through the left side driving in Fabio Peralta and Gonzalez capping off a three-run inning.

Fans dig the longball.#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/8TfMMYJ4T2

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 9, 2025

The Huskies weren’t out yet. Tyler Minick homered during the fifth cutting in Miami’s lead making it 8-4. Walters pitched himself into trouble loading the bases forcing coach J.D. Arteaga to call on the bullpen. Biller nearly hit a grand slam off reliever Carson Fischer but Galvin made the catch on the warning track. However, Connecticut chipped into the lead bringing one home on the deep sac fly.

We had to make sure we rolled the footage on this Fabio snag ⤵️📽️

📺: ACCNX pic.twitter.com/NXYDoQ1tjm

— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) March 9, 2025

Miami nullified UCONN’s big inning with a trio of scores.  A groundout, wild pitch, and Williams’ fifth double of the season all contributed to extending UM’s lead to 11-5. The back and forth continued in the sixth. The two runs by the Huskies were countered with Ogden’s third dinger of the year upping the score 13-7. Connecticut kept clawing its way back scoring four in the eighth via a sacrifice fly, wild pitch, and MacArthur’s second dinger. Ogden and Galvin added a pair of insurance runs with Jackson Cleveland sealing the deal.

Impressions

The hope is this is an anomaly. The hitting recovered from Friday, but the pitching flat-out stunk. I’m more worried about the bullpen than the starters although I am starting to suspect Nick Robert may not hold onto the Friday night slot. For those howling about the Huskies, these guys made it to the Super Regional in 2024 and the regionals in 2023. Slow starts can be deceiving and UCONN is more likely to touch the postseason than we are. In the post-game presser coach Arteaga mentioned that resilience is not one of their weaknesses. This will be put to the test in the coming weeks since UM will kick off ACC play with three straight ranked opponents.

Gus Bus Award

Max Galvin and Jake Ogden in the post-game presser talking about UCONN's persistence and the importance of their win.

Ogden: "We were pissed off today."#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/wIUauIL7s2

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 9, 2025

Jake Ogden continues to swing the hot bat pushing across five runs. He leads the program with a .437 batting average. He’s tied for second in HRs (4) and has the second-most RBIs (23).

You’re Killing Me Smalls

Tanner Smith was abysmal behind the plate this weekend. On top of Sunday’s four stolen bases by the opposition, he committed three errors during the series. Aside from raising my eyebrows, I’m certain he’ll clean it up.