Freshman catcher Alonzo Alvarez launched two home runs while senior LHP Rob Evans dominated on the mound, powering the Miami Hurricanes past Stanford to secure a high-stakes clash with Boston College.
Miami, FL. – The Miami Hurricanes' quest for a second ACC Championship in baseball began in the second round of the tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, against the Stanford Cardinal. The West Coast program qualified for Wednesday’s matchup after dominating the California Golden Bears in an 11-4 outing. Coach J.D. Arteaga alluded to not going above and beyond to win the ACC Championship, but rather focusing on reaching the College World Series in Omaha.
The Hurricanes remained without junior All-American third baseman Daniel Cuvet, having been sidelined since April 22 because of a back stress fracture. Senior left-handed pitcher Rob Evans started on the mound. Junior catcher Alex Sosa was the first baseman for a fifth consecutive game.
After a scoreless first inning, the Cardinal scored the first run of the game off a double from sophomore third baseman JJ Moran, allowing sophomore shortstop Charles Bates to reach home safely from first. Evans managed to step off the mound without any further damage.
The Hurricanes immediately responded with a home run deep to left-center field by freshman catcher Alonzo Alvarez. It was the 20-year-old’s fifth of the season, reaching a 370-feet distance, and a 96 exit velocity. The game was tied for the first time, an emphasis from the Brentwood, California, native.
The freshman momentum continued after designated hitter Dylan Dubovik and third baseman Gabriel Milano scored a couple of runs to give the Hurricanes the lead.
Despite freshman first baseman Teddy Tokheim cutting the deficit to one run after homering deep to center field, Alvarez kept the momentum alive with a double, leaving Sosa in scoring position. The Hurricanes were unable to add to the scoreboard until redshirt senior left fielder Max Galvin singled up the middle, which brought in two more runs.
Cardinal senior right-handed reliever Trevor Moore lost command on the mound, allowing the Hurricanes to squeeze a couple of more runs from four wild pitches. A trip to the ACC quarterfinals was on the line with three innings left.
The game ended similarly to how the Hurricanes started, with a two-run homer from Alvarez deep to right field, the sixth of the year. The baseball traveled 353 feet and had a 96 exit velocity. The Hurricanes clinched an official meeting with the Boston College Eagles, after an 11-2 outing, in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Unlike the Cardinal’s pitching staff, Evans dominated on the mound: seven innings pitched, four hits and two runs given up, including a home run, six strikeouts, and 90 total pitches. The New York native officially reached 10 wins on the year, the first in program history since Michael Mediavilla in 2016. Meanwhile, Alvarez led the charge offensively: four hits in five at-bats, two doubles, three runs batted in, and two home runs.
The Hurricanes lost the season series against the Eagles in early March, but a chance at redemption presents itself.
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