The Miami Hurricanes baseball program surge into ACC Tournament contention, but a key player's injury casts a shadow over their championship aspirations.
The Miami Hurricanes baseball program is on pace to have one of its best regular seasons in recent history. They currently sit with a 32-12 overall record, 12-9 in ACC play, and riding a six-series winning streak. The team’s batting average is .303, which ranks No. 36 in Division I baseball. A big piece in the hot offense is redshirt senior outfielder Derek Williams. He’s appeared in 44 games, all starts, 153 at-bats, recording 59 hits, 14 doubles, 14 home runs, 59 runs batted in, 43 runs scored, a 1.226 OPS, and a .386 batting average, which ranks No. 40 among Division I players.
Ahead of another critical ACC series against the North Carolina State Wolfpack, the Hurricanes sit at fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings. However, they’re currently tied with the No. 14 Florida State Seminoles with a 12-9 record in ACC play, who will face the Pitt Panthers this weekend. If the regular season were to end instantly, the Hurricanes would have a double-bye in the conference tournament.
The Wolfpack series could provide an edge for the four-time National Champion program. However, the matchup won’t be easy as the Hurricanes lost a key offensive weapon. On Wednesday, April 29, coach J.D. Arteage confirmed that junior third baseman Daniel Cuvet will be sidelined, without a timetable to return, due to a back stress fracture.
The 20-year-old MLB prospect had missed the entire weekend series against the California Golden Bears due to wisdom teeth removal. However, the injury could keep Cuvet sidelined for the entire ACC Tournament. Coach Arteaga hopes for a return when Regionals begin.
In 41 games, including 40 starts, Cuvet has 151 at-bats, recording 46 hits, 14 doubles, 12 home runs, 45 runs batted in, 49 runs scored, a batting average of .305, and a 1.086 OPS.
The Hurricanes have battled through injuries all season, but are peaking at the right moment. Securing a double-bye in the ACC Tournament would be critical to secure the program’s first conference championship since 2008.
Following the Wolfpack series, the team will have seven total games remaining on the schedule, ending the season with a weekend series against the Seminoles at Tallahassee, Florida. As the offense looks to click without Cuvet and the pitching staff continues to improve internally, the Hurricanes have an opportunity to finish among the top in the ACC. However, the margin of error will be very thin.
It’s going to be a race to the finish, especially against an in-state rival for tournament positioning.
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