Miami baseball wins series versus Virginia Tech, loses to FIU this week

The Miami baseball team finished 2-2 this week after losing Wednesday to FIU, winning Friday and Saturday at Virginia Tech, before dropping the final game of the three-game series versus the Hokies on Sunday. Miami is 23-27 overall and 10-17 in the ACC, entering the regular season's final week.

After the game was competitive through the first three and a half innings, Virginia Tech took the lead for good 4-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Hokies added two in the fifth, six in the sixth and one in the eighth. Miami scored one in the seventh inning in a 13-4 loss

Miami starter Herick Hernandez allowed six runs in 4.2 innings to take the loss, dropping to 3-7 this season. Designated hitter Lucas Costello had three hits for Miami. Ben Watson led Virginia Tech with three hits, three runs scored and two RBIs. Henry Cook had three RBIs for the Hokies.

After falling behind 4-1 on Saturday, Miami scored one run in the fourth inning and five in the sixth inning to take the lead for good. Virginia Tech added one in the eighth as Miami secured the 7-5 win. Clay Grady was the winning run at the plate for Virginia Tech when he grounded into a double play to end the game.

Daniel Cuvet had one hit, two runs scored and hit his third home run of the series on Saturday night. Catcher Jack Scanlon hit the other Miami HR on Saturday. A Jacoby Long two-run double put Miami in front to stay on Saturday. Rafe Schlesinger got the win and Nick Robert the save on Saturday.

The Miami baseball team began the three-game series at Virginia Tech with an 8-6 win on Friday night. After Miami scored four runs in the first inning, Virginia Tech scored six of the next seven runs between the third and six innings. Miami scored one in the seventh to tie the game and two in the ninth to regain the lead,

Miami hit five HRs in the win on Friday night. Cuvet hit HRs in the first and ninth innings. Jacolby Long hit the go-ahead HR in the ninth two batters before Cuvet. Dorian Gonzalez hit the other two HRs for Miami with solo shots in the first and fifth innings. Miami had 11 hits in the win.

Miles Caba pitched four innings, allowing one run to earn the win in relief of Gage Ziehl on Friday night. First baseman Gehrig Ebel homered twice for Virginia Tech in the loss. Virginia Tech starting pitcher Brett Renfrow and Ziehl each allowed five runs on Friday night.

Miami had a 12-game winning streak versus FIU end on Wednesday with the loss to the Panthers. The Hurricanes rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to tie the game at five after five innings on Wednesday. FIU scored four runs in the seventh to take a 9-5 lead. Miami scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth in a 9-7 loss.

Miami was unable to defeat FIU despite drawing 11 walks. Hurricanes pitchers issued 10 walks to FIU. Edgardo Villegas scored three runs for Miami despite not getting a hit. Ashton Crowder allowed four runs in 1.1 innings for Miami. Jeff Liquori had four RBIs for FIU including the game-winning three-run HR.

Miami will attempt to win the season series at FIU on Tuesday night. The Hurricanes won the first two games this season versus FIU. Miami hosts Pittsburgh in the final series of the regular season Thursday through Saturday. The ACC Tournament begins on May 21 in Charlotte.