Miami baseball starts season versus Penn State
The Miami baseball team begins its 2023 season hosting Penn State in a three-game series at Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park. Miami finished 40-19 overall in 2022, 20-10 in the ACC in a virtual tie for the Coastal Division title with Virginia Tech. The Hokies finished 19-9 in the ACC, winning the Coastal by percentage points.
Miami was the sixth national seed in the NCAA Tournament, but lost two of three games on its home field in the regionals to be eliminated. The Hurricanes begin the 2023 season ranked 18th in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Penn State was 26-29 in 2023 including a win over third-seeded Iowa in the Big 10 Tournament.
Among the 2023 returnees for the Miami baseball team is infielder Yohany Morales. Morales hit .329 and led the Hurricanes 18 home runs and 59 RBI in 2023. In the NCAA Tournament Morales hit three home runs in a win over Canisius. First baseman C.J. Kayfus who hit .329 is an All-American candidate.
Miami also returns Gage Ziehl who will move from a setup man to a starting pitcher in 2023 and All-American closer Andrew Walters. Walters had a 1.65 ERA and 62 strikeouts with 14 saves in 2022. Miami has added power to its lineup in 2023 with the addition of Ian Farrow from Florida Gulf Coast.
Farrow who is entering his junior season hit .332 with 21 home runs and 75 RBIs for the Eagles in 2022. Farrow finished 26th nationally in home runs in 2022. Morales with just three fewer home runs was 77th nationally. Miami was 33rd nationally in home runs in 2022 averaging 1.5 per game. That should continue in 2023.
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Right-handed pitcher Travis Luensmann who was 2-3 with a 4.52 ERA in 2022 will start for Penn State. Miami will start Ziehl who was 2-2 with a 4.04 ERA last season. Ziehl will begin the season as the Friday night starter for Miami in 2023. Miami is 4-0 all-time versus Penn State and coached by Hurricanes baseball alum, Rob Cooper.