Miami Downs Penn State Behind Levenson’s Multi-HR Game

Thanks to a complementary effort, the Hurricanes notched a win for the first time in 2023 after a 10-2 drubbing of Penn State on Saturday night at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

Right fielder Zach Levenson was sensational, connecting on two home runs. His first shot of the game to deep left-center field was measured at 465 feet, UM’s longest homer of the young season.

“I was just trusting my ability and trusting the process that we’ve been going [through] in practice,” Levenson said. “We got the rubber match tomorrow, that’s all we’re thinking about.”

Sophomore starter Karson Ligon provided stability for UM on the mound. He was efficient, tossing 81 pitches in 6.2 innings of work. Ligon ended his night with a strikeout and allowed only one run and two hits. He was rewarded with a standing ovation after his almost seven innings of work.

This was an encouraging first start for Ligon, who struggled toward the end of his freshman campaign by giving up at least three earned runs in his final four starts.

“He did a good job of keeping his composure, probably something he struggled with last year,” Miami head coach Gino DiMare said. “I just liked his composure, his demeanor … I liked the way he mixed his pitches.”

While not as deafening as Ligon, Miami’s bullpen did enough for the Canes to win comfortably. Relief pitchers Rafe Schlesinger and Ronaldo Gallo combined to allow four hits and one earned run in 2.2 innings.

UM’s pitching shined, and its hitters, in addition to Levenson, were just as electric.

The ‘Canes had success early, as infielder Edgardo Villegas sent a moonshot to beyond right-center field in the first frame, giving Miami an early 2-0 lead. This was the outfielder’s first hit of the season, and he wasn’t done just yet.

Villegas connected on a double to right field that sent shortstop Dominic Pitelli home to score and leadoff hitter Dario Gomez to third. Gomez scored on the very next pitch on a wild throw. Miami’s success in the fourth inning wasn’t over, as third baseman Yohandy Morales smacked a single to right field for his first RBI of the season, which gave the Canes a 5-0 advantage.

Miami’s offensive fireworks continued in the later innings in the form of home runs.

Levenson had his two rockets, and catcher Carlos Perez sent a two-run shot to right field that extended UM’s lead to 8-1 in the seventh before the right fielder cemented Miami’s 10-2 advantage in the eighth.

Penn State, in comparison, could not get it going offensively.

The Nittany Lions only managed six hits and two runs, far from the 16-hit and nine-run performance it totaled the night before. Their two scores came off an RBI single from second baseman Kyle Hannon and another RBI single from shortstop Jay Harry.

Miami will play Penn State in Sunday’s rubber match. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.