Michelangeli home runs propel Miami to College World Series

Hurricanes outlast Boston College in Coral Gables Super Regional

Miami pitcher Andrew Cabezas allowed two runs in 2.2 innings Sunday against the Hurricanes, but Miami prevailed 9-4 to advance to the College World Series.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Hurricanes are headed back to Omaha, Nebraska.

Miami third baseman Edgar Michelangeli had a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, Sunday in the third and decisive game of the Coral Gables Super Regional as the Hurricanes defeated Boston College 9-4 to advance to the College World Series.

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For the second straight season, Miami was victorious on its home field in a best-of-three super regional.

National No. 3 seed Miami (50-12) scored first in the second inning with a line-drive single by right fielder Willie Abreu that plated second baseman Johnny Ruiz. Then third baseman Edgar Michelangeli hit a three-run homer to give the Hurricanes a 4-0 lead.

Boston College (35-22) cut the lead in half in the third. A line drive to center field by right fielder Donovan Casey sent left fielder Logan Hoggarth and first baseman Mitch Bigras home.

The Hurricanes scored another run in the fourth when designated hitter Randy Batista grounded out to second base, sending first baseman Christopher Barr home.

But Boston College came up big in the fifth, trimming Miami's lead to 3-2 and turning a double play with bases loaded to end the inning.

The rain became to come down in the seventh, but the Hurricanes appeared to play to their element. Michelangeli stepped up to the plate with bases loaded, one out and a full count and knocked the ball out of the park, scoring the final four runs for the Hurricanes.

"I thought we had them with their backs again the wall," Michelangeli said. "It was a full count and the bases loaded, so I knew he didn't want to walk me, especially with me being the nine-hole hitter. I knew I wanted to be aggressive on that pitch, and I got a pitch I could drive."

A benches-clearing brawl ensued after Michelangeli's bat flip amid Miami's celebration.

"They had each other's backs, so I'm proud of them for that," Boston College head coach Mike Gambino said "Like I said, you never want that to happen, but I think in that situation, we fell back to our core values of character, toughness and class."

Michelangeli was responsible for seven of the team's eight RBI.

Miami reliever Frankie Bartow (6-0) got the win, remaining undefeated on the season. Boston College starting pitcher Jacob Stevens (4-4) was credited with the loss.

Hurricanes closer Bryan Garcia got his 18th save of the season.

Now the Hurricanes will turn their attention to Arizona -- their first opponent in the College World Series.

"I'm very proud of our team and, of course, our goal is to go out there and win," Miami head coach Jim Morris said.


About the Author:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.