Two of three ain’t bad, but when you’re the top-ranked team in the land and your road opponent enters the series 20-28, with only four conference wins – a sweep should’ve been in the cards.
The #1 Miami Hurricanes rolled into Blacksburg, VA this weekend for their final road series of the regular season. After smacking up the Hokies 12-4 in Friday’ night’s contest, the Canes dropped the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, 7-6 and then battled back to a 9-2 victory in the series finale.
Many are being critical of the now 41-6 Canes, but Saturday’s early loss should get this team refocused as it enters a very crucial point of the season. Miami hadn’t lost since April 23rd; a mid-week tussle with city-rival Florida International, 6-3. Before that, the Canes dropped one on April 19th at Florida State.
No complaints regarding these winning ways, but sometimes an unexpected loss to a lesser opponent is just what the doctor ordered. I cover this program from 3,000 miles away so I have no clue where this team or these kids are mentally. That said, I’ve seen enough sports to realize that great teams can sometimes lose their focus on some level and a loss can bring things back into perspective.
Miami takes on North Florida this Tuesday night and from there, a three game homestand against #2 North Carolina. The Canes take on the Heels from Thursday to Saturday and the following Wednesday, head to Jacksonville for the ACC Tournament.
If the Canes were going to absorb that sixth loss somewhere, better this weekend than anytime between the 13th and 25th, with all the money on the table. Miami won their 12th straight series this weekend, which is the lone goal of any road trip. Get over Saturday’s loss and gear up for the ‘real’ season ahead.