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Miami Ready to Host Florida State in three Game Series

By Alan Rubenstein

Jun 18, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Miami Hurricanes players watch the final moments of their game against the Arizona Wildcats during the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Arizona won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Miami Hurricanes players watch the final moments of their game against the Arizona Wildcats during the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Arizona won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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On the brink of missing their first NCAA Baseball Tournament since 1972, the Miami Hurricanes will host Florida State in a three-game series at Mark Light Stadium this weekend.

Miami enters the game 18-19 overall, 9-9 third in the ACC Coastal Division. They are coming off of an 8-2 victory over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday. That was their third straight win against the Owls this season, sweeping the season series.

Florida State enters the series 24-15 overall and matches Miami’s 9-9 ACC record. The Seminoles are fourth in the ACC Atlantic.

FSU travels to Miami with a three-game winning streak. They won the last two games of last weekend’s series against Clemson and defeated Stetson on Wednesday night.

Miami won Wednesday’s game with eight runs in the first three innings and a solid start from Freshman Evan McKendry. McKendry pitched six innings allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six.

Senior Randy Batista continued to lead the offense from the leadoff spot. Batista played 2B/SS on Wednesday and went 2-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Centerfielder Carl Chester also had two RBIs.

Batista has reached base in 16 straight games. He is leading the team with a .313 batting average and .476 on-base percentage during that time.

Head Coach Jim Morris has shuffled his pitching rotation for the FSU series. Jeb Bargfeldt and Michael Mediavilla will each move up a day in the rotation to replace the struggling Jesse Lapore. Right-Hander Greg Veliz will pitch Sunday.

Lepore is 1-5 with a 5.08 ERA. He’s been even worse in ACC play with an 0-3 record and an 8.51 ERA. Bargfeldt has pitched like an ace all season, particularly in ACC play. He is 4-2 with a 1.69 ERA overall and 3-1 with a 1.19 ERA in conference play.

Veliz has been impressive in his freshman campaign. His .152 batting average against is the lowest in the ACC and his 2.41 ERA is eighth. Mediavilla enters his weekend start 4-4 with a 4.23 ERA.

After struggling most of the season from the plate, the Hurricanes have started to hit a bit better in ACC play. Miami is still second to last in the nation with a .214 batting average, but they are hitting .239 in ACC games.

Carl Chester has led the way in the ACC. He’s hitting .324 with one home run, 15 RBIs, and five stolen bases in 18 games.

Florida State will start right-hander Cole Sands on Friday and left-handers Tyler Holton and Drew Parrish Saturday and Sunday.

Sands is 5-2 with a 4.62 ERA, Holton 5-1, 2.60 and Parrish 3-2, 4.98. Holton has been their best pitcher beyond just his ERA. In 55.1 Innings, Holton has a 1.13 WHIP and has struck out 71 batters.

Florida State’s offense is led by outfielder Rhett Aplin. Aplin is hitting .323 with six homeruns and 24 RBIs with a .434 On Base Percentage.

Miami and Florida State will play Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 1pm. All three games will be live streamed on the ACC network and broadcast on WQAM 560 and WVUM 90.5

Next: Miami Hurricanes Finish their Final Spring Practice

Next Up: The Hurricanes will play Florida International in a two-game split series Tuesday and Wednesday. They will play Tuesday night at FIU and Wednesday night at Mark Light Stadium.

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