Canes Warning
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Miami Hurricanes Baseball’s Offense Continues to Struggle

By Alan Rubenstein

Jun 20, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Miami Hurricanes pitcher Frankie Bartow (52) throws to first base against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the sixth inning in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. UC Santa Barbara defeated Miami 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Miami Hurricanes pitcher Frankie Bartow (52) throws to first base against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the sixth inning in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. UC Santa Barbara defeated Miami 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dartmouth beat the Miami Hurricanes in a weekend series by taking games one and three. The Big Green posted shutouts in each of their victories. They won the opening game 1-0 and took the series deciding game three 5-0.

The Hurricanes avoided a sweep by winning Saturday’s night’s game 3-2 on a “balkoff”. The Miami offense was abysmal and might have sunk to its lowest against the Ivy League Big Green this weekend. The Hurricanes hit just .194 against Dartmouth this weekend with only three runs scored.

Dartmouth finished 11-9 second in the Ivy League last season, but just 18-25 overall. Their baseball program is most well known for producing Cubs Pitcher Kyle Hendricks who was third in the National League Cy Young voting in 2016.

The Hurricanes struggled to get runs across even on Saturday night. Junior Randy Batista got his only hit in 12 at-bats this season to plate the Hurricanes first two runs of the night. The Hurricanes won the game in the ninth inning when Romy Gonzalez scored from third base on a balk from Dartmouth pitcher Patrick Peterson.

Gonzalez advanced around the bases without the benefit of one of his teammates getting another hit. He moved from first to second on a ground out and from second to third on a balk by Peterson that preceded the game winner.

Miami needed an outstanding performance from left handed starter Jeb Bargfeldt to be in position to win the game. Bargfeldt pitched six innings allowed two runs on six hits and and two walks struck out eight.

Miami wasted another great performance from ace Jesse Lapore in the series opener. Lapore lost a 1-0 game for the second consecutive week. He pitched eight innings allowing four hits and three walks and one run while striking out six.

The Hurricanes hitters could only manage two hits in seven innings  off of Big Green starter Beau Sulser. Chris Burkholder pitched two perfect innings to get the save for Dartmouth.

Michael Mediavilla struggled for the third straight time this season. He has not performed up to his pre-season All-America Status. He lasted just five innings, allowing seven hits, two walks, five runs, two earned while striking out three. He is now 0-3 on the season with a 5.84 ERA and .308 opponent batting average in three starts.

Lapore has been snake bitten this season. After winning winning the season opener against Rutgers, Lapore has now dropped his last two despite a 0.90 ERA and .185 opponent batting average on the year.

The Hurricanes are 290th out of 294 teams in Division I baseball in batting average. Their offense is presently one of the worst in collegiate baseball. Could Miami’s 43 year streak of reaching the NCAA Tournament be in jeopardy?

In addition to the low batting average, Miami also ranks 274th in runs scored, 283rd in slugging percentage and 286th with a .280 on base percentage.

Next: Miami Hurricanes WBB Falls in ACC Tournament Semis

Next Game: The Hurricanes get back to the diamond with a two game split series with Florida International that commences Tuesday night at Mark Light Stadium. They play at FIU on Wednesday. Tuesday night’s game will be shown by ACC extra. Both games will be broadcast by WVUM.

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