Miami’s Batters Ride Momentum in Win Over Dartmouth

It took until the fourth inning, but Miami’s batters, who have produced at least nine runs in each of the last three games, continued their hot streak in an explosive 9-7 win over Dartmouth.

“I think it’s just trusting the guy behind us and everyone’s been doing their job and I think it comes down to that,” UM first baseman CJ Kayfus said about Miami’s offensive success.

Kayfus began the fourth frame with a double, which was UM’s first extra-base hit of the evening. Catcher Carlos Perez sent Kayfus and designated hitter Ian Farrow home on a three-run homer to left center. This was Perez’s second home run of the season, surpassing the lone one he hit last year in his freshman campaign.

The Hurricanes’ fifth inning was similar. Left fielder Edgardo Villegas and third baseman Yohandy Morales got on base, and CJ Kayfus sent them home, blasting a 399-foot moonshot over the deep right wall at Mark Light Field.

These offensive eruptions in the fourth and fifth gave Miami a commanding 6-4 lead after it trailed in the game’s early stages.

Gage Ziehl, who allowed five runs in Miami’s opening-night loss to Penn State, began his second start in similar fashion to how the first one ended. 

The right-handed sophomore allowed five hits and four runs in the first two frames. Ziehl bounced back, however, striking out five hitters over his last three scoreless frames of pitching.

“I thought he kept the ball down better this outing as opposed to last week. He didn’t fall behind as many guys. Last week he fell behind a lot of hitters,” DiMare said about Ziehl’s performance. “Cetrainly after those four runs, he retired the next 10 batters. Excellent job.”

Ziehl ended his night with nine strikeouts, which is the most by any UM pitcher this season.  

UM’s relievers continued this pitching momentum in the later innings. Right-hander Alejandro Torres struck out one batter and didn’t give up a hit in his single inning of work. Sophomore Ronaldo Gallo followed, allowing only one hit in two innings of work.

The Hurricanes cemented their lead in the seventh thanks to singles by outfielder Zach Levenson and freshman Blake Cyr that drove in a combined three runs when the bases were loaded.

Fellow first-year pitcher Sebastian Perez and preseason All-American Andrew Walters pitched the last inning. The two combined to give up three runs, but Walters was awarded with the save and prevented Dartmouth’s ninth-inning rally.

Kayfus, Levenson and Villegas led UM with two hits each. The Hurricanes’ two home runs extended their power-driven start to the season, as entering Friday’s game, Miami ranked third nationally in homers.

“That should be one of our strengths. We do have some guys that are returning that are power guys,” DiMare said. “It seems to be our offense right now.”

UM will look to clinch its series against Dartmouth on Saturday at 7 p.m. Right-hander Karson Ligon is projected to start at the mound.