The quickly evolving pandemic of the Coronavirus has likely ended the once-promising Miami baseball season on Thursday as the NCAA canceled all their championships for winter and spring sports.
The Miami baseball team entered the 2020 season ranked in the top 10 and elevated to number one after the first week of the season. A three-game sweep by Florida boosted the Gators to number one where they remained at 16-0 when it was announced that all winter and spring NCAA championships have been canceled.
The cancellation came amid fears about the Coronavirus. Nearly every major sport is currently on lockdown. The NBA, MLB, NHL and tennis tours are currently suspended and will continually evaluate if and when their seasons will resume. In the case of MLB, begin. The Miami baseball team likely ends 2020 12-4.
It is possible that Miami could continue their season but that seems unlikely without an NCAA Baseball Tournament. The ACC is suspending spring sports indefinitely. Both the ACC and conference commissioner John Swofford who was previously the athletic director at North Carolina issued statements.
The Miami baseball team likely finished their season with a 3-2 victory over 15-3 Central Florida who was ranked in the top 15 at the time the season was postponed. An Alex Toral double in the first inning scored Adrian Del Castillo to put Miami in front 1-0. A Raymond Gil two-run home run extended the lead to 3-0 scoring Toral as well.
"The decision was made following consultation with the league’s presidents and athletic directors to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19.”
— The ACC (@theACC) March 12, 2020
Central Florida scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to close the gap, but the Miami baseball team held on for what was likely their final victory of the season. Miami was a heavy favorite in the ACC Coastal Division which they led with a 3-0 record after sweeping Pittsburgh last weekend.
Miami was on pace to host a regional in the NCAA baseball tournament and likely the super regionals with an excellent chance to get to Omaha for the now-canceled College World Series. Multiple star juniors and seniors are likely to leave for the MLB draft this summer. The exodus is likely to be led by Toral.
Statement from ACC Commissioner John Swofford:
— The ACC (@theACC) March 12, 2020
“This is uncharted territory and the health and safety of our student-athletes and institutions remains our top priority. This decision is aimed to protect from the further spread of COVID-19.”
Starting pitchers Brian Van Belle, Chris McMahon and Slade Cecconi, closer Danny Federman and star shortstop Freddy Zamora who was out of the season with a knee injury are all likely to join Toral in beginning their professional baseball careers. The 2021 Miami baseball team will still have talent returning.
Cecconi is eligble for the MLB Draft because he turns 31 June 24. Del Castillo should anchor the 2021 Hurricanes. All of this is obviously secondary to the health and welfare of the nation. It still stings on what was likely to be the best team Miami has had since the 2016 Zach Collins led Hurricanes played in the College World Series.