Sports > March 24, 2005

By Graham Hall

Old Gold & Black Reporter

Although the baseball team did not sweep No. 6 Miami, they were able to pull out an impressive win over the top-10 program in their series at home, March 18-20.

The Deacons were looking to muster any type of offensive production possible against one of the best pitching staffs in the country.

The series with Miami opened on March 18 at Gene Hooks Stadium, with senior lefty Tim Morley going against Miami ace pitcher Cesar Carrillo. The game pitted the Deacon offense, which scored 72 total runs in ten games, against Carrillo, who was undefeated at home.

Miami jumped out to an early lead, getting one run in the first, three in the second and four in the fourth inning. Morley carried the load for the Deacons, throwing 107 pitches before leaving the game with a shoulder injury in the seventh.

Morley also struck out four and surrendered eight earned runs.

The likely first round draft pick Carrillo pitched seven innings allowing no runs on six hits while striking out six. Carrillo displayed pinpoint accuracy in the 11-2 Deacon loss, throwing 2/3 of his pitches for strikes, and only walking two batters.

The Deacons offense was not even a factor in the loss, managing six hits and no RBI’s. The team scored their two runs in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a Miami error.

The following day, the Deacons turned to sophomore Josh Ellis after losing four straight games.

The Deacons drew first blood, scoring in the bottom of the first when sophomore third baseman Matt Antonelli reached first base on an error.

Senior shortstop Ben Ingold singled, and senior catcher J.B. Tucker reached on a fielder’s choice. Senior first baseman Ryder Mathias singled to score Antonelli from third and sophomore designated hitter Brendan Enick followed with an RBI single to left.

Miami responded in the top of the third, scoring three runs on four hits. The day was frustrating for Hurricane fans, as the Deacons responded to every Canes score.

With Miami up 5-3 in the fifth, the Deacons started the bottom of the inning with Antonelli working to count for a walk. Ingold then singled to center and Tucker put down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners.

Mathias singled to left scoring Antonelli, and Enick hit a sacrifice fly to score Ingold. Senior centerfielder Matt Miller walked and freshman second baseman Andy Goff hit an RBI single.

The Deacons continued playing small ball, and when Goff broke for second, Miller headed home on the catcher’s throw, and both players successfully pulled off the double steal, with Miller stealing home plate.

In the bottom of the eighth, Enick was on third and Miller was on second, when Goff came to bat. On a 3-2 pitch, Goff ripped a shot to left field for his first career collegiate home run.

Josh Ellis earned his third victory of the season while Kyle Young picked up the save. Goff was named the Fazoli’s Player of the Game with one home run and four RBI’s.

“What can I say,” Ellis said, “I have been fortunate to pitch when our offense scores a bunch of runs.”

On March 20, the series was tied one game a piece, with sophomore Charlie Mellies pitching. Miami jumped out to an early lead that they would hold onto.

Mellies went six innings striking two out and allowing five earned runs. Mellies threw a great game but unfortunately recieved bloop singles and doubles by the Miami hitters.

Although the final score was a 12-4 victory for the opposition, the game was not an entire loss for the Deacons, as defensive outfield substitute Mike Causey was credited with his first collegiate hit in the bottom of the eighth inning.

“This is a tough team and very underated,” Miami Head Coach Jim Morris said.

The Deacons, after two rain delays, will return to action on March 25 against North Carolina at 7:00 p.m in Chapel Hill.