Miami smokes Florida State at ACC Tourney

The Noles had the Canes’ number in the regular season, taking two-of-three in Tallahassee weeks back, both in the bottom of the ninth.

There would be no late game heroics today.

Miami jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the opening round of the ACC Championship and held on, beating Florida State when it counted most, 9-3.

FSU narrowed it to 3-2 after three, but UM responded with five runs over the next two innings, pushing it to 8-2 and never looking back.

Eric Whaley stepped up with five solid innings on the mound. With Eric Erickson sidelined, coach Jim Morris called on someone to step up and Whaley hung tough when thrust into the spotlight. E.J. Encinosa, Sam Robinson and Daniel Miranda closed it out from there.

Nathan Melendres picked up two hits and drove in Miami’s first two runs with a home run to right field in the bottom of the second. A batter later Michael Broad sent a solo shot over the right field wall, pushing the Canes’ lead to 3-0. Melendres and Broad combined for five of UM’s nine hits.

Miami pushed it to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth and Florida State looked ready to rally after a triple and walk to start the fifth.

One batter later, Canes shortstop Stephen Perez snagged a one-hopper and turned a double player. The Noles scored one, but with the bases cleared, UM averted danger and snagged some much-needed momentum.

In the bottom of the fifth Harold Martinez put the game completely out of reach with a three-run shot, his 18th home run of the season.

Next up for the Canes, a 12pm ET showdown with Boston College. Tune in.

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