Welcome to Miami Baseball 2012. Just when it seems time to write this team off, the Hurricanes find a way to surprise.
After dropping the ACC Tournament opener to NC State in dramatic fashion, Miami responded with a Thursday win over North Carolina and followed it up with Friday’s 6-3 win over Wake Forest.
Eric Whaley pitched eight solid innings for UM, allowing two runs, striking out six and surrendering seven hits, with no walks. Whaley threw a season-high 129 pitches in the win.
Miami got on the board early when Rony Rodriguez belted a solo shot over the left field fence in the top of the second. Wake answered back later in the inning after a Stephen Perez throwing error put the leadoff runner on base, eventually driven home by a two-out single.
The Canes retook the lead in the top of the fourth when Peter O’Brien singled home Chantz Mack, who led off the inning with the a triple. Again the Demon Deacons responded, this time with a solo shot, tying the game, 2-2.
The lead was taken for good in the top of the sixth when Dale Carey walked and was driven home by a Brad Feiger double.
Miami exploded for three in the top of the seventh, starting with a Garrett Kennedy lead-off single. Perez bunted Kennedy to second. Carey then singled, Mack doubled, Fieger singled and after a sacrifice fly by Rodriguez, the Canes led, 6-2.
Wake tacked one on in the bottom of the ninth for the 6-3 final.
Miami must now root for North Carolina to beat NC State in Saturday evening’s showdown. If so, the Canes will pay in Sunday’s championship game.