The Miami baseball team lost its second game in the NCAA Tournament after winning its opener for the third straight year. After defeating Maine 9-1 on Friday night, Miami lost 4-1 versus Texas on Saturday. Miami has a quick turnaround with a noon start versus Louisiana on Sunday. Louisiana eliminated Maine on Saturday 19-10.
Miami was shut down by Texas starter Lebarron Johnson. Johnson pitched a 130-pitch complete game allowing seven hits, one run, one earned on a Dominick Pitelli fourth-inning home run, with three walks and eight strikeouts. Miami will attempt to avoid being eliminated in its third regional game for the third straight season.
The Miami baseball team played in the Gainesville Regional in 2021. Miami defeated South Alabama 1-0 in its opening game of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Miami seemed to be in control of the regional after Florida lost its opening game to South Florida and was eliminated in a 19-1 loss to South Alabama in the next game.
The Hurricanes lost 10-2 to fourth-seed South Florida in the second game. South Alabama defeated Miami 7-2 to eliminate the Hurricanes in their third game of the regional. South Florida won the regional after they lost to South Alabama, before defeating the Jaguars in a winner take all game to advance to the Super Regional.
The Coral Gables Regional is set! pic.twitter.com/7bdvRCPeVo
— Miami Hurricanes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) May 29, 2023
Miami hosted the regional in 2022 as the sixth national seed. The Hurricanes were on track to host the Super Regional. Miami won its NCAA Tournament opener 11-6 versus Canisius. The Hurricanes led Mississippi 1-0 entering the bottom of the seventh. Mississippi plated two in the seventh and hung on for a 2-1 win.
Miami led 3-1 after seven innings versus Arizona in 2022. A solo HR by Tony Bullard in the top of the eighth inning for Arizona cut the Miami lead to 3-2. Miami went scoreless in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Andrew Walters struck out the first two batters he allowed a Tanner O’Tremba double that gave Arizona a 4-3 lead.
Ariel Garcia singled to lead off the bottom of the ninth, advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a C.J. Kayfus sacrifice fly. Gabriel Garcia and Renzo Gonzalez struck out with an intentional walk to Yohandy Morales in between to end Miami’s season. Miami has an opportunity to advance to the regional final on Sunday.