Drama galore as Miami Canes fall in extra innings to FGCU before Gators come to town
It was no home-run derby, but Wednesday night’s game at Mark Light Field provided plenty of drama as the Miami Hurricanes fell to Florida Gulf Coast 12-10 in 12 innings.
With two outs and bases loaded after the Canes score two in the bottom of the 12th, Miami pinch-hitter Jake Kulikowski flied out to right field to end the game more than four hours after it began.
The Eagles scored four runs in the 12th. Harrison Povey’s sacrifice fly to center with bases loaded scored Mac Moise to make it 9-8. Then, Jacob Lajewski’s single to third, coupled with UM third baseman Daniel Cuvet’s throwing error, made it 10-8. FGCU made it 12-8 on a 2-RBI single by Javier Gorostola.
The Canes fell to 5-3 as the Eagles rose to 3-5, setting up UM’s weekend showdown against the No. 4 Florida Gators (6-2).
On Sunday, UM defeated Long Island University 22-5 in a slugfest that included eight Hurricanes home runs. Wednesday was not nearly as much fun, and the Hurricanes couldn’t scrap it out after falling behind early, then clawing back, only to ultimately come short.
“We fought to the end,’’ said sophomore first baseman Jason Torres, who was 3 for 6 with 2 runs scored and a solo home run. “That was maybe the only good part about it. Obviously it’s a big weekend coming up, but we had this game ahead of the weekend, so this is the one we wanted today.”
Said coach J.D. Arteaga: “A loss is a loss. They’re all tough. But we fought to the very last pitch. Unfortunately, we probably should not have been in the situation. We had some opportunities to win the game earlier, going back to the eighth inning when they tied the game and took a lead.”
Eagles pitcher Lucas Hartman (2-1) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in four innings for the win.
The Canes’ Ashton Crowther (four runs, three earned, on three hits and two walks) got the loss.
Some highlights:
▪ With the game tied at 8 in the eighth and UM runner Dorian Gonzalez Jr. on first, Lucas Costello bunted to third. The third baseman fielded it and threw Costello out. Gonzalez, who was running on the bunt, continued past second and was thrown out at third by first baseman Robert Moya.
▪ Torres made it 8-8 in the eighth with his blast to right field.
▪ FGCU junior left fielder Jake McKee hit a 2-RBI single up the middle against right-handed freshman reliever Brandon Olivera with no outs in the eighth to put the Eagles ahead 8-7.
▪ The Canes trailed 2-0 after Moya hit a 2-run homer in the top of the first. UM scored four runs in the second but the Eagles tied it with two more in the fourth.
▪ Former UM outfielder Ian Farrow, who started his career at FGCU before transferring to Miami last season and then transferring back to FGCU this season, went 3 for 6 with a double, walk and two runs scored.
▪ Cuvet (606) was 3 for 6 with one RBI and a run scored. His 10th-inning shot to the center field warning track came close to winning the game.