Applause could be heard from short right field as the Hurricanes congratulated each other on their 10th consecutive victory to open the season.
Florida, already gone to the locker room, had yet another game spoiled by stranded base runners and two-strike hits.
Miami (10-0) defeated Florida (3-7) 3-2 on Friday night at McKethan Stadium.
Only one team could take the series opener, but neither squad deserved it.
The teams combined for 21 stranded base runners. Florida allowed seven base runners on two-strike counts and Miami committed three errors.
These teams are not as far apart as their records suggest. Miami moved to 5-0 in one-run games. Florida fell to 0-4 in those games. Friday marked the sixth-straight loss for the Gators.
“I thought we played really good defense tonight, but once again we needed a big hit,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “We haven’t been able to get that.”
Miami plated the go-ahead run in the ninth off a David Thompson single against right-hander Jay Carmichael. The freshman first baseman worked a 2-2 count before taking a curveball up the middle. Chantz Mack scored easily after stealing second on a failed pitchout attempt from Gators catcher Taylor Gushue.
Florida started the eighth down two runs. Vickash Ramjit singled down the left field line to score Zack Powers and advanced to second on the throw home. Freshman Christian Dicks, pinch hitting for Josh Tobias, popped to short for what looked to be the final out of the inning and another wasted opportunity.
But the ball fell in safely as Miami freshman shortstop Brandon Lopez lost it in the lights, bringing home Ramjit to tie the game.
In a season where the ball seemed to always bounce the wrong way, the stroke of good fortune looked like a game-changer.
“That was a big momentum change right there,” Shafer said. “I thought for sure whenever that happened, we were going to come out with the win right there.”
Miami left-handed starter Chris Diaz held the Gators scoreless through seven. He outlasted Florida right-hander Jonathon Crawford, who gave up two runs in six innings on a career-high 103 pitches.
Alex San Juan sent a hanging curveball from Crawford for a two-run home run to the left field bleachers.
Both starting pitchers experienced command issues early. Florida left the bases loaded in the first. O’Sullivan pointed to Ramjit’s at-bat with two outs as a turning point in the game.
With the Gators starving for an RBI, Ramjit flied out to right on a 2-2 count after getting two-straight balls to start.
The missed chance was the first of many for the Gators, who entered the game batting .253 with runners in scoring position.
Second baseman Casey Turgeon summed up UF’s growing frustration. The sophomore lifted his head back and shrugged his shoulders after flying out to right field in the seventh.
Carmichael spelled Crawford after the junior’s six innings of work. The freshman retired nine of his 12 batters but couldn’t finish his career night unscathed with closer Johnny Magliozzi waiting in the bullpen.
Miami closer A.J. Salcines pumped his left fist after he struck Turgeon out on a high-outside fastball to end the game.
The Hurricanes celebrated on the McKethan Stadium infield in a scene that has grown familiar for the Gators.
“I think we are getting there for right now,” Carmichael said. “Obviously it has been a little tough, but we are inching there closer to get this thing done.”
Simpson attempts to stop skid: Freshman right-hander Tucker Simpson (0-1, 4.15) takes the mound for Game 2 against the Hurricanes. Miami counters with right-hander Javi Salas (2-0, 0.00).
Simpson reached the fifth inning in his last start against Florida Gulf Coast. He filled the role vacated by right-hander Karsten Whitson after he underwent a season-ending shoulder procedure.
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
Right-handed starting pitcher Jonathon Crawford (23) throws a pitch during Florida’s 4-3 loss to Duke on Friday at McKethan Stadium. Crawford threw a career-high 103 pitches during six innings of work in Florida's 3-2 loss to Miami on Friday.
