Behind a pair of home runs from Derek Williams and Vance Sheahan and a decisive five-run eighth inning, the Miami Hurricanes opened NCAA Tournament play with a 10-5 victory over Troy early Saturday morning at Condron Family Ballpark in the opening round of the NCAA Gainesville Regional.
The marathon contest concluded at 1:48 a.m., but Miami showed no signs of fatigue when it mattered most, responding immediately after Troy tied the game in the eighth inning and pulling away for the program’s 51st NCAA Tournament appearance.
Lyndon Glidewell earned the victory in relief, recording the final six outs for the Hurricanes. Starter Rob Evans worked five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out four. Jack Durso bridged the gap with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts before handing the ball to Glidewell.
For Troy, Tommy Egan suffered the loss after Miami erupted in the eighth. The right-hander surrendered five earned runs on three hits and two walks while recording just one out. Trojan starter Benjamin Stubbs kept his team within striking distance, allowing four runs three earned over 5.1 innings while striking out six.
Miami’s offense ignited in the bottom of the third inning.
Sheahan opened the scoring with a solo home run to left field, giving the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead. After Fabio Peralta grounded out, Jake Ogden was hit by a pitch and Max Galvin reached on a throwing error to put two runners aboard.
A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position, setting the stage for Williams. The slugger delivered a towering 389 foot, three-run homer to left center field his 17th of the season extending Miami’s lead to 4-0.
In the fourth inning, Sean Darnell lined an RBI single down the first-base line to score Blake Cavill and cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Trojans continued their comeback effort in the fifth. Josh Pyne and Aaron Piasecki reached safely to begin the inning before Cavill delivered a two-run double down the right-field line, bringing home both runners and trimming Miami’s advantage to 4-3.
The Hurricanes added what appeared to be an important insurance run in the seventh. Williams drew a leadoff walk and advanced on a wild pitch before scoring all the way from second base on a throwing error by Troy’s catcher, pushing Miami’s lead to 5-3.
In the top of the eighth, Jimmy Janicki and Steven Meier drew consecutive walks to put immediate pressure on Glidewell. But Miami catcher Alonzo Alvarez made a pivotal defensive play, throwing behind Janicki at second base for an out.
The play proved critical moments later when Drew Nelson launched a two-run homer to right field, tying the game at 5-5 as the clock struck 1:18 a.m.
Ogden sparked the bottom of the eighth with a one out double to right center. Galvin followed with an RBI double down the right-field line, scoring Ogden and restoring Miami’s lead at 6-5.
After Troy intentionally walked Williams and Alex Sosa drew a walk to load the bases, Alvarez delivered a clutch RBI single to center field to make it 7-5.
Dylan Dubovik then added a sacrifice fly to right center, bringing home Williams and extending the advantage to 8-5.
Two batters later, Brandon DeGoti delivered the knockout punch. His two-run double into the left-center gap scored Alvarez and Sosa, capping the five-run outburst and giving Miami a commanding 10-5 lead.
Glidewell closed the door in the ninth to secure the victory and send the Hurricanes into the regional winners bracket.
Williams finished with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored, while Sheahan added a solo blast. Alvarez played a key role on both sides of the ball, delivering a crucial RBI single and making the game changing defensive play in the eighth inning.
With the win, Miami advances to face regional host Florida in a highly anticipated winners-bracket matchup. The Hurricanes and Gators are scheduled for an updated first pitch of 8 p.m. Eastern on Saturday at Condron Family Ballpark.
After surviving a late night battle with Troy, Miami now turns its attention to an in-state showdown with a trip deeper into the NCAA Tournament at stake.
