What better way to get the losing taste out of one’s mouth, than to punch another team in their’s.
The ACC Tourney kicked off yesterday in Jacksonville and the top-seeded Miami Hurricanes whooped up on the Clemson Tigers to the tune of, 7-1.
ACC Freshman of the Year, Chris Hernandez was dazzling on the mound Wednesday. Aside from moving to 11-0 on the season, Hernandez struck out ten and only allowed four hits and no walks – improving his streak of 27 two-thirds innings without allowing a base on balls.
The Canes’ bats started waking up a bit in the opening round, but have a way’s to go if Miami is going to win this thing, get through the regonials and find their way back to Omaha. The Tigers were an eight seed in the tourney and Miami had already swept the series this year and has now taken 6 of their past 8 against Clemson. Yesterday’s win was absolutely expected.
Mark Sobolewski led the charge with a two run double in the first inning and was the only Cane with multiple hits in Wednesday’s rout. Catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a solo homer in the second inning and both teams remained scoreless the next three innings, until Miami added three more runs, forcing starting pitcher D.J. Mitchell to the bench. Clemson scored its lone run in the top of the ninth to avoid the shutout.
A few other notable tidbits; Miami had three double plays in Wednesday’s contest and yesterday’s win was the Canes first opening round victory at the ACC tourney, sporting an 0-3 record before beating the Tigers.
Next up, Georgia Tech at 5pm EDT today. The Canes not only swept the Yellow Jackets this season, but put a pretty series hurting on them, winning 10-5, 15-5 and 9-3 back in April. Then again, the Miami bats were smokin’ a month ago so it’ll be interesting to see how today’s contest plays out. A Canes victory should be in the cards, but will it be a similar drubbing to April’s sweep? Tune in to find out.
Saturday’s contest against N.C. State starts at 1pm EDT an Sunday’s ACC Championship is 1pm EDT as well, where Miami will most likely face two-seed Florida State or three-seed North Carolina.