A dominant start unravels as pitching struggles and batting woes push the Miami Hurricanes out of the rankings. Can they rebound on the road?
The Miami Hurricanes baseball squad entered the season ranked among the best 25 teams in the nation. They started with a 10-0 record, averaging 15.5 runs. However, the Hurricanes have lost four of the last six games, dropping a couple of weekend series to a ranked Florida Gators program and Boston College Eagles.
After those recent struggles, the Hurricanes were unranked for the first time this season, according to D1Baseball. Despite the hot start, they’re averaging 4.7 runs in the last six games.
However, the main issues come from the pitching staff. In the four losses between the Gators and Eagles, they’ve allowed 32 combined hits for 31 runs, leaving only 20 opposing players on base. The Hurricanes have walked 17 batters, which puts the defense in vulnerable situations.
The rough stretch hasn’t been easy for third baseman Daniel Cuvet. He’s recorded four hits in 18 at-bats, striking out six times in all four losses. The 20-year-old has been impatient in the box, swinging at nearly every pitch thrown at him.
In Sunday’s game against the Eagles, Cuvet entered a bases-loaded situation and facing a 8–5 deficit. He swung at a 1-0 count, which grounded out to the pitcher. The junior third baseman believed that had the ball not been caught, it would’ve been enough to affect the scoreboard.
“I think if it’s not right in his [senior left-handed pitcher John Kwiatkowski] glove, it goes through, and we score two runs,” Cuvet said.
The Hurricanes will play the next five games on the road, including an ACC weekend schedule against the Duke Blue Devils. They believe in the talent within the clubhouse, but the pitching staff needs to show some sustainability.
Despite the latest slump, there are a couple of positives that could shed light on the program. Junior shortstop Vance Sheahan returned from an eight-game absence due to a strained abdominal muscle. He brings experience defensively and power. Also, freshman outfielder Dylan Dubovik is off to a strong start this season: 18 hits in 35 at-bats, 11 runs scored, 17 runs batted-in, five home runs, and a 1.029 slugging percentage.
The Hurricanes have the bats to string together a high number of runs, but the pitching staff needs to improve to get back on track this season. They currently sit with a 12-4 overall record, 1-2 in ACC play. The extended road trip will present a test for the whole team.
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