Florida State Embarasses Miami, Takes Series Opener

Miami, Florida – It was not Alejandro Rosario’s night. The same goes for UM as the Florida State Seminoles embarrassed the Miami Hurricanes 13-1. The freshman was not himself getting yanked early after surrendering eight runs on seven hits, all of them earned. Both the six-game winning streak and Anthony Vilar’s 10-game hitting streak have come to an end.

The highly anticipated contest was all FSU from the get-go with the Noles scoring eight runs through two frames. Throw in errors by Miami’s defense in addition to an offense that was two hit until the seventh and it’s a recipe for disaster. No midgame magic tonight. Florida State starter Parker Messick fanned 10 hitters, bullying them back to the dugout.

T2 | The Canes call for RHP Jordan Dubberly out of the bullpen with one out and runners on second and third. 7-0 FSU pic.twitter.com/Dt345kSAfx

— Canes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) March 19, 2021

A Forgettable Start

Rosario was roughed up a bit in the first inning, giving up a base hit and two doubles as FSU quickly cranked out three runs. Defensive miscues didn’t help. Second baseman Anthony Vilar botched a routine ground ball allowing Florida State to score on the error. The Seminoles came close to recording another run but CJ Kayfus gloved a grounder, firing it home to Adrian Del Castillo for the tag.

The Seminoles answered back with their own stop in the home half of the first. Jordan Lala walked to start the inning and came really close to scoring. Del Castillo doubled down the leftfield line with Lala wheeling it towards home. However, an excellent relay from Wyatt Crowell to Nander De Sedas to Matheu Nelson gunned down the lead-off man at the plate. The play was reviewed but the call was upheld.

Safe or out?

Call on the field is CONFIRMED with a Crowell-De Sedas-Nelson relay to end the inning!

T2 | FSU 3, #8 Miami 0 pic.twitter.com/1T679iCFtf

— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) March 19, 2021

Rosario’s woes would continue in the second. Falling frequently behind the hitters, Florida State pounced all over him adding another five runs on four hits. Two wild pitches exacerbated the situation which contributed to the Seminoles’ hit parade. By their second trip to the plate, the Canes were staring at a big 8-0 hole. One they would not surmount.

One of the few bright spots of Friday night’s game was the diving catch by Christian Del Castillo, robbing Logan Lacey of at least a two-run double. Unfortunately for UM, the Noles got the runs anyway. Robby Martin smacked a two-bagger to right-center driving in a pair and chasing off Miami reliever Jordan Dubberly. The Hurricanes did get a run back in the seventh (Tony Jenkins) via a wild pitch but it was way too little, too late. Florida State kept on scoring, growing the run deficit. With the game out of reach, coach Gino DiMare subbed in Jacoby Long who recorded his first collegiate hit. After dropping the series opener, the Canes are now 9-5 (5-4, ACC). They will look to bounce back Saturday with Victor Mederos getting the nod.

B8 | Jacoby Long singles to left for his first hit as a Cane! pic.twitter.com/dbAezww0qx

— Canes Baseball (@CanesBaseball) March 20, 2021

Game Notes

Alejandro Rosario: 1.1 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 2 WP, 0 K

Florida State scored 13 runs on 14 hits committing no errors

Miami scored one run on five hits committing three errors

UM Hitting with RISP: .000 (0-for-5)

UM Hitting with Runners on: .143 (2-for-14)

Anthony Vilar: 0-for-3

Gus Bus Award

Well, this is sort of hard considering how the game played out but Christian Del Castillo claims it for his crazy catch back in the sixth inning.

This catch by @CanesBaseball CF Christian Del Castillo tonight was incredible.#SCtop10 | #D1Top10 @d1baseball | @accnetwork pic.twitter.com/6m6P2O4c0L

— Mike Monaco (@MikeMonaco_) March 20, 2021

You’re Killing Me Smalls

Several names could go on here but I will, reluctantly, hand this to Alejandro Rosario. He just didn’t have it tonight. The freshman will need to turn the page and forget this one.