Stellar Pitching Propels Canes PAST HOKIES

Ryan Wilkes

February 28, 2021

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — No. 6 Miami (3-2, 1-1) righted the ship Saturday night thanks to a solid all-around performance from its pitching staff, resulting in a 3-0 shutout victory against Virginia Tech (4-1, 1-1).

The Canes offense left their mark on the game early on, plating three runs against Virginia Tech starting pitcher Chris Gerard.

Jordan Lala got the party started on a warm night at Mark Light Field, slapping a Chris Gerard fastball right up the middle to lead off the bottom of the first for the Canes. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Lala was plated by shortstop Yohandy Morales, giving Miami a 1-0 lead.

Catcher Adrian Del Castillo followed with another single and third baseman Adam Frank brought Morales and Del Castillo home with a single of his own. Whatever struggles the Canes faced Friday night seemed to have disappeared, returning to fundamental baseball with solid contact hitting.

Or so they thought.

Gerard followed the three-run first inning with five scoreless frames, keeping the Hokies in range to steal their second victory over the Canes and to secure a series victory.

Miami freshman pitcher Alejandro Rosario had other plans, though.

In his second collegiate start, Rosario suffocated the Hokies, eliminating any hope of pulling off their second consecutive upset.

Rosario fanned seven Tech batters and only gave up three hits, making up for Miami’s lack of offensive production after the first inning.

While Rosario exited after seven innings, any glimpse of momentum evaporated into the warm Miami air after two shutdown innings from relievers Ben Wanger and Carson Palmquist.

The Canes were in the driver’s seat from the first pitch to the very last, never taking their foot off the pedal. While the offensive output may not have been what head coach Gino DiMare had hoped for, the Canes pitching staff came together, stifling the Hokies’ scorching hot offense.

No. 6 Miami and Virginia Tech return to Mark Light Field for the rubber match of the series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.