Miami baseball finishes the week 4-1

The Miami baseball team finished its first full week of the 2022 season with a 4-1 record. Miami extended its record to begin the season to 5-0 after defeating Florida Atlantic 9-1 on Wednesday. Miami won a three-game series with Harvard this weekend to improve to 7-1 on the season.

Freshman starting pitcher Karson Ligon allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in his debut. Four relievers combined to allow only two walks, no hits with seven strikeouts to close the victory over FAU. First baseman C.J. Kayfus continued his hot streak to begin the season.

Cayfus was 2-5 with two runs scored against FAU. Outfielder Jacob Blake was 2-4 with a run scored and three RBIs out of the seven spot. Eight different Miami baseball players had hits against FAU. Miami plays at FAU on March 23 and hosts the final of three games this season against the Owls on April 12.

After losing the first game 11-6 on Friday, Miami defeated Harvard 2-1 on Saturday. The Hurricanes followed a similar blueprint in their four-game sweep of Towson to began the season last weekend. The pitching for Miami improved throughout the weekend. Miami allowed only one run in its last two games versus Harvard.

Alejandro Rosario struggled for the second straight start this season. Rosario lasted four innings allowing five earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts. Second baseman Dorian Gonzalez Jr. was the hitting star for Miami in the series opener going three for three with a run scored and an RBI.

Miami faltered after taking a 6-5 lead after six innings. Harvard scored two in the seventh and four in the eighth inning to earn the victory. Miami preseason All-American Carson Palmquist pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four hits, one earned run with no walks and nine strikeouts on Saturday.

The Hurricanes bullpen was nearly flawless in relief of Palmquist allowing one walk with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings. Third baseman Yohandy Morales was three for four with a run scored in the Miami victory. Catcher Maxwell Romero drove in Morales with the eventual winning run in the fifth inning.

Miami dominated on Sunday. The Hurricanes started fast on Sunday. Miami scored four in the first and second to take an 8-0 lead after two innings. The Hurricanes added single runs in the third and sixth innings to close out the scoring. Jake Garland allowed two hits and one walk with three strikeouts in six innings on Sunday.

Kayfus was 1-3 with two runs scored, two RBIs, a walk and home run. Jacob Burke was 2-4, one run scored, four RBIs and a HR. Six other Miami players had hits Sunday. Miami knocked out Harvard starting pitcher Jaren Zinn early. Zinn pitched one inning allowing eight runs, seven earned on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Miami is off during the week before hosting their annual series against Florida. After beginning this season with losses in two out of three games to Liberty, the 15th ranked Gators have won five straight. Miami was 24th in the national rankings entering the weekend series versus Harvard.