Miami baseball begins season versus NJIT

The J.D. Arteaga era of Miami baseball will begin on Friday night versus NJIT. Miami won their annual Alumni game 6-1 versus former Hurricanes last Saturday. The Hurricanes were 42–21 overall last season, 18–12 in the ACC. Miami finished second in the ACC Coastal for the fourth consecutive full season.

Arteaga replaces Gino DiMare, who finished 168–86 overall and 79–49 in the ACC in five seasons, including the COVID-shortened year in 2020. Arteaga was elevated to head coach entering his 22nd season on the Miami staff. Prior to becoming the head coach, Arteaga was the Miami pitching coach for 21 years.

Starting pitcher Gage Ziehl and second baseman Blake Cyr lead Miami. Ziehl is starting his second straight season opener. Ziehl was 8-4 with a 4.30 ERA in 2023. Cyr was a first-team freshman All-American in 2023 after hitting batting .306/.428/.628 with 17 home runs and was earned all-ACC.

Rafe Schlesinger and Herick Hernandez are scheduled to start the doubleheader for Miami on Saturday. Miami has not named a starter for Sunday. NJIT is starting Aidan Kidd on Friday, Joe Georgini in the first game of the doubleheader and Brandon Peterson in game two on Saturday.

Miami was picked fourth in the ACC Coastal in the preseason poll behind Virginia, North Carolina and Duke. Cyr and Ziehl were named to the Perfect Game Preseason All-ACC Team. Ziehl was named to the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Watch List. Wake Forest transfer outfielder Lucas Costello is another player to watch for Miami in 2024.

After completing the four-game series, Miami is off until Wednesday, when they host Central Florida. Miami plays its first 15 games this season at home. Miami hosts a three-game series versus Florida from March 1-3 and Virginia from March 8-10 to highlight the homestand to begin the 2024 baseball season.