Miami needed one win this past weekend to secure a spot in this week’s ACC Tournament. The Hurricanes got the job done in the home season finale, taking two from Georgia Tech, but getting slammed by the Yellow Jackets in game three.
UM picked up two in the first inning on Thursday night, setting the tone. Eric Whaley got the start and went five, giving up two hits and no runs. Miami led 5-0, courtesy of a three-run third, by the time Whaley gave way to Thomas Woodrey, who lasted 1.2 innings, surrendering three hits and three runs.
Up 5-1 after six, Miami responded with a two-run sixth. Georgia Tech picked up two in the top of the seventh, but up 7-3, the Canes stayed in control, eventually pulling out the 8-3 win after one final run in the eighth. Miami had eleven hits to Georgia Tech’s five, while both teams each stranded four runners on base.
Brad Fieger proved to be the brightest spot offensively, with a sacrifice fly in the first and a one-out double in the third, both accounting for three Miami runs.
Friday had the Canes again pouncing early with back-to-back four-run innings to kick off the evening. Up 8-1 after two, Miami was firmly in control. Chris Diaz got the start and lasted seven innings, giving up eight hits and three runs before AJ Salcines took over.
David Thompson was game two’s offensive bright spot with five runs batted in, the most impressive moment, a three-run homer in the bottom of the second. Thompson also had an RBI in the third and the six.
The Canes led 11-3 entering the top of the ninth, with Adam Sargent and Alexander Fernandez having some struggles before Eric Nedeljkovic struck out two for the 11-7 win.
Saturday’s series finale was an all-out nightmare as Miami fell, 10-1. Bryan Radziewski lasted five innings, giving up five hits and four runs. Vince Kossak attempted to relieve but was chased in less than an inning, nailed for four hits and four runs. Georgia Tech got another in the top of the seventh and led 9-0 with two to play.
The teams traded runs in the ninth and the Hurricanes took the lopsided regular season-ending loss. Miami wrapped the regular season 35-21 overall and 14-16 in conference play.
The ACC Tournament starts this Wednesday in Durham, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The North Carolina Tar Heels are the top seed, while Miami is eighth. Also in Pool A, fourth-seeded North Carolina State and fifth-seeded Clemson.
Pool B consists of second-ranked Florida State, three-seed Virginia, sixth-seeded Georgia Tech and seven-seed Virginia Tech.
Miami and North Carolina will play at 3pm ET on Thursday and the Canes will again take the field at 11am on Friday, facing off against North Carolina State. Miami and Clemson will play Saturday at 3pm, with a Pool A versus Pool B championship on Sunday at 1pm ET.