Miami Baseball got embarassed this past weekend at the Columbia (MO) Regional as a #2 seed. After jumping out to a 7-3 lead in the second inning against #3 seed Louisville, Miami gave up 10 runs unanswered in a 13-7 losing “effort”.
The U bounced back against ‘mighty’ Kent State, 8-7 only to drop their final game of the regional, 8-7, again to Louisville. Between the ACC Championship and the first round of the NCAA Regional, the Canes went 2-4 down the stretch. So much for that whole notion of being “built for the postseason.”
I’m not going to harp on how disappointing this 37-24 was or the fact this team was supposed to build on last year’s improbably College World Series run in 2006. I’ve received a handful of emails regarding this team, the coaching staff and the future and I do want to speak my piece regarding Jim Morris. Those out there blaming the head skipper are way off base.
Morris is an asset to this program and has won two National Championships at Miami, matching that of the legendary Ron Fraser. This program has won 13 consecutive regionals under Morris and was in Omaha as recently as last season. This isn’t a steady decline and the program isn’t in the toilet. It just needs some fine-tuning.
Miami Baseball has strugged to develop players and dominate since guys like Turtle Thomas and Lazer Collazo left the program. No disrespect to the likes of Gino DiMare and J.D. Arteaga, but both guys will have to step their game up if The U is going to get back to it’s formerly dominant form.
For now, let’s close the door on Miami Baseball until early 2008. Pathetic results down the stretch, but I guess it was bound to happen sooner than later.
Three months ’til football season… thank God.
.:Canes305:.