Miami Hurricanes Baseball

Miami will miss the NCAA tournament in baseball for the first time since 1972. 

According to ESPN.com, the 44-year streak was the longest run in any sport of making the tournament, but it has come to an end this year.

The squad failed to earn an at-large bid to the 64-team field after posting a 31-27 record during the season.

The Hurricanes had a chance to earn an automatic bid through the ACC tournament but were eliminated by North Carolina in the semifinals Saturday.

Miami is one of the most storied programs in the history of the sport with four titles, plus appearances in the College World Series in each of the last two years. However, it's the consistency of reaching the tournament that has turned heads.

"It's certainly unprecedented," NCAA associate director of media coordination Jeff Williams said of the streak, per Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald. "In 44 years you haven’t stumbled? Look at Texas. They’ve won six national titles and their longest regional streak is 18 years."

Seven different ACC clubs earned a spot in the NCAA tournament, but Miami will stay home for the first time under veteran coach Jim Morris.

If you have ever wondered what it sounds like to hear a man watch his brother throw the rare perfect game, you are in luck. Jorge Salas was fortunate enough to be in the booth calling his older brother Javi Salas' masterpiece against Villanova on Tuesday. 

NCAA.com reports that a game which demanded 113 pitches from the young Hurricanes right-hander would conclude in the 22nd perfect game in NCAA Division I since 1957. 

The rare feat is remarkable enough, but then you spot a small tidbit at the tail end of the report.

"He celebrated with his family after the game, and joined his younger brother Jorge, a student radio broadcaster for WVUM 90.5, in the radio booth for a postgame interview."

Thankfully, Deadspin's Sean Newell spotted more than just that postgame audio and also included a vibrant and emotional call of the final out and ninth inning into his article. 

Here is what it sounds like when your brother inches toward history: 

The younger Jorge Salas has the call: "The windup, the kick from Salas, the pitch...swung on and missed. And it's a perfect game; Salas did it, a perfect game for Javi Salas. Folks, we just witnessed history. It's a perfect game for Javi Salas, zeroes across the board." 

Salas keeps his composure as best he can, eventually letting out a much needed "oh my goodness."

If you enjoyed that snippet, you will absolutely love the final inning, which was also captured and uploaded to WVUM Sports' Soundcloud: 

Jorge had just witnessed his brother take on 27 Villanova batters and dispatch each one. It seemed prudent to give a little disclaimer to the audience, as he does, that he is Javi's little brother and bedlam may ensue if the night concludes with the same brilliance with which it started. 

Jorge's delivery is at times staggered, rough and emotional. In a word, it's perfect. The moment Miami gets two outs in the ninth, you can hear the baby brother's deep voice flow in tandem with giddy laughter. You can almost feel Jorge's excitement and tension in every single moment preceding the final out. 

Salas the elder gets the out, and the night is filled with jubilation and the altogether rare spectacle that is a young man interviewing his brother after a perfect game: 

If Jorge is happy to have experienced this moment, the sentiment is not lost on Javi—the young man who actually dominated the opposition. He states, "I can't believe I'm in the radio booth with my brother right now. This might be better than the perfect game, the fact that I'm here with him."

Well, the chance encounter really was all about dumb, fantastic luck. Deadspin's Newell reports, "Chris Wittyngham, the sports director at WVUM, told us that he assigned Jorge to call this particular game far enough in advance that the starting pitcher was not known at the time."

What's more, Salas' call will live on as the only broadcast of his brother's perfect night because WVUM has exclusive rights to broadcast. WVUM might want to have Jorge around for every single one of his brother's starts.

This particular broadcast may be played on fairly heavy rotation around the Salas' house for a while. 

It seems ridiculous to try and improve on perfection, but this brotherly tandem accomplished just that. 

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There's more than revenge at stake for Duke in Saturday's matchup with Miami. The Blue Devils second contest with Miami could ultimately send the victor soaring to a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. 

Even as Miami raced out to a 13-3 record and a 4-0 start in ACC action, many remained skeptical about the team's staying power and ability to hold up during an arduous conference schedule. That all changed Jan. 23 in Coral Gables.

Miami mashed Duke 90-63, sending shock waves across the national basketball landscape. The Blue Devils, then the top-ranked team in America, didn't stand a chance as the Hurricanes raced out to a 42-19 halftime advantage.

The victory cemented Miami's spot in national rankings and left Duke fans across the country scratching their heads. It was the third-worst defeat for any No. 1 ranked team and Duke's most lopsided regular season loss since 1984.

''We expected them to be terrific, and we have to match terrific, and then you have a terrific game,'' Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski told the Associated Press via FOX Sports . ''What you had was a terrific win for them, but not a terrific game. We didn't hold our end of the bargain.''

No. 3 Duke has a shot to earn redemption, rebound from Thursday's loss at Virginia and gain ground on the conference's top spot Saturday. Meanwhile, No. 5 Miami can clinch the ACC regular-season title with a win. 

So who stands to gain the most from a victory in Saturday's showdown at Durham?

You could argue that Miami needs to reassert itself after an 80-65 loss at Wake Forest on Feb. 23 finally took some wind out of the squad's sails. The defeat snapped a 13-game win streak but the Hurricanes bounced back with a 76-58 victory over Virginia Tech.

A Miami win would lock up a regular season conference crown and likely assure the Hurricanes a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Jim Larranaga currently has his team's confidence at an all-time high right now and a victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium would take the program into unprecedented territory.

Duke is 14-0 on its home court this season and has treated conference foes quite unkindly in front of the Cameron Crazies. The Blue Devils have battered visiting ACC opponents at home this season, claiming six double-digit wins in seven matchups.

Coach K's team is still looking to peak.

Duke started the season 15-0 but have proven susceptible on the road (four conference losses). That's never a good sign for a squad looking to survive the rigors of March basketball.

The Blue Devils could remain in contention for an ACC regular-season title with a win. A loss would certainly take a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament off the table, although Thursday night's loss at Virginia may have already done that.

Freshman Rasheed Sulaimon has taken on a bigger role since these teams last met and could provide an X-factor. Fellow Duke guard Quinn Cook is the key in this matchup.

The sophomore laid an egg in Duke's loss at Miami, shooting 1-of-12 from the floor. He looked outmatched on both ends of the court against Miami counterpart Shane Larkin. 

The Blue Devils are usually a mentally tough bunch under the direction of Krzyzewski, but a pair of losses to Miami could linger into the postseason. Confidence is crucial for young players at this stage of the season.

But Duke has journeyed down this road many times before and the program has forged its reputation in the postseason. Regular season victories are considered a stepping stone on the way to a greater goal after decades of success and multiple national championships. 

This is a checkpoint for Miami. A win Saturday would do wonders for the program in regard to respect and and how the team is viewed in the eyes of blue chip recruits (an underrated aspect of wins and losses at the college level).

The Hurricanes rise to prominence is among the season's most compelling storylines. A win over Duke could dare many to dream of a national championship run.

Miami has more to gain. How that translates on the court will set the tone Saturday.

The Clemson Tigers faced a big challenge this past weekend, as they hosted then-No. 7 Miami Hurricanes for a three-game series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Tigers were up to the task though, and they were able to take two of three from the Hurricanes.

The first game of the series was highlighted by Matt Campbell and Scotty Firth coming in from the bullpen and combining to limit Miami to one hit, no runs and nine strikeouts over the 5.2 innings. The score was tied at one until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Clemson was able to take a two-run lead on a sacrifice fly by Thomas Brittle and a double by Steve Wilkerson. Campbell’s great work earned them the win, and Firth was able to record the save as the Tigers held on to the lead and won with a final score of 3-1.

The second game of the series was a pitchers’ duel as well. Dominic Leone had a stellar outing, allowing only one run in seven innings, and was able to come away with the victory. The Hurricanes’ starter, Eric Whaley, had a solid day as well, allowing only three runs in 6.2 innings. The Tigers scored first in the second inning when Tyler Slaton was able to score Spencer Kieboom on a two-out double. Miami answered back in the fourth, however, with a run of their own.

Clemson regained the lead in the seventh, thanks in part to a clutch two-out hit. Richie Shaffer, who was named ACC Baseball Player of the Week, was able to connect on a double with two outs that scored both Jason Stolz and Wilkerson. Patrick Andrews was able to shut down Miami for the final two innings, and Clemson held on for another 3-1 win.

Game three of the series was a tight contest as well. The game was tied at one until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Tigers were able to push across only one run despite having four hits and two walks in the frame. Clemson’s 2-1 lead did not last long, however, as in the top of the seventh Dale Carey came up with a two-out, two-run double that gave Miami a lead they would not relinquish. The Tigers tried to threaten in the eighth and ninth innings but were unable to score, and the Hurricanes won with a final score of 4-2.

Clemson travels to Duke this weekend to take on the Blue Devils in another three-game series. The start times for those games are 6 pm on Friday, 2 pm on Saturday, and 1 pm on Sunday.

Frank Ratcliff, a 19-year-old middle infielder who had a fine freshman season at college baseball power Miami, recently got busted for selling 21 grams of marijuana to an undercover police officer for $220.

Acting on a tip, the undercover officer made the buy, and a warrant search of Ratcliff’s residence later found 101 grams of pot and 19 vials of synthetic human growth hormone.

Because the sale and arrest were made on school property, Ratcliff faces a minimum three-year prison sentence. He was officially charged with various felonies yesterday and has already been suspended from Miami’s baseball team.

While I personally believe marijuana should be legalized, or at least decriminalized, and a minimum three-year sentence for selling less than an ounce of pot is outrageous, I still find myself profoundly irritated whenever I read a story about a young and apparently talented ballplayer who has done something this stupid and essentially thrown his career away.

In the 2010 season, Ratcliff hit .276 with an .846 OPS. His OPS is pretty terrific for a freshman middle infielder, and by the season’s end he had firmly established himself as the Hurricane’s starting second baseman.

Now, I’ll admit that his numbers were almost certainly inflated by HGH and/or steroid use (is there any chance he wasn’t at least using HGH if the cops found 19 vials of it in his residence?).  Even so, I very much doubt he’s the only college player at a top program dabbling with HGH, which I understand is still harder to test for than steroids.

Ratcliff’s sheer stupidity bothers me. The odds are good he really didn’t need the money, because his fine freshman season virtually guarantees a full scholarship at Miami for the 2010/11 school year.

And who knows? In two year's time, Ratcliff might well have developed into a player selected in the first five or six rounds of the 2012 draft who would thus receive a six-figure signing bonus. It was certainly a reasonable possibility after the 2010 freshman season he had.

Instead, he’s headed off to the can, because they have him dead to rights, likely for three years, less time off for good behavior.

Young ballplayers, would you rather be starting for your college baseball team or throwing your future away because you want to make a little extra money selling illegal substances?

The answer seems fairly obvious to me, but you still read about one or two of these knuckleheads every year.

Game 1: Stanford vs. Florida State

Tied at five going into the ninth, Stanford appeared to take the lead when the first base umpire completely blew a “foul” call. Replays clearly showed the ball was fair, chalk was knocked up, and it really wasn’t close. Stanford was able to rally for 11 runs despite the blown call, to win 16-5.

Game 2: Georgia vs. Miami

The Bulldogs trailed 4-5 going into the ninth, but posted a four run rally to beat the top-seeded Miami Hurricanes 7-4. Georgia led off the ninth with a single, followed by a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to second. The next batter struck out, but thanks to a wild pitch reached safely at first. A single to left tied the game at four. The next batter lined a hit back to the pitcher, who committed a throwing error to first that allowed two runs to score. The Bulldog’s final run came on a single to left.

Game 3: Fresno State vs. Rice 

Fresno State was supposed to be just lucky to be there, but the Bulldogs dominated Rice 17-5 to advance to the winner’s bracket. Fresno State pounded out 13 hits, including three homeruns. Rice was able to connect with 10 hits, but was only able to get five of their runners across home plate.

Game 4: LSU vs. North Carolina

The Tigers led off the game with a homerun, but the Tar Heels bounced back with 17 hits to win the game 8-4. The Tigers fought back to load the bases with no one out in the eighth. LSU’s homerun leader struck out, and Jared Mitchell knocked a ball to short. North Carolina attempted to turn the double play but Mitchell clearly beat the throw by a step. First base umpire called Mitchell out, ending LSU’s rally and allowing the umpires to ruin their second potential comeback of the postseason. It was also the second blatantly blown call of the CWS.

Game 5: Florida State vs. Miami

In-state rivals battled back-and-forth before Miami finally recorded the third out in the ninth, after allowing three runs to score, to end the game 7-5. Florida State was able to knock out 18 hits, but left 17 runners stranded. Miami scored their seven runs on 11 hits. This year marked the fourth consecutive year that Florida State went 0-2 in the CWS. This was Florida State’s 20^thappearance in the CWS and their streak of no national title will continue.

Game 6: Stanford vs. Georgia

Georgia trailed 3-2 going into the bottom of the seventh, but scored two runs in that frame to take a 4-3 lead. Georgia held off Stanford to win the game by the same score. The last time the Bulldogs started the CWS 2-0 was in 1990, the year they won their only national championship. Georgia has a break until Friday, where they will have a rematch with either Miami or Stanford. The Bulldogs need one more win to advance to the CWS championship series.

Game 7: LSU vs. Rice

The Tigers did it again in dramatic fashion by putting together four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to eliminate the Rice owls 6-5 on Tuesday evening. The Tigers trailed 5-0 in the seventh, when a balk was called that allowed a run to score. The Tigers also scored a run in the eighth to cut the game to 5-2. After a controversial play at the plate, the Tigers eight inning threat was ended. The Owl catcher appeared to have blocked the plate before catching the ball and the collision knocked the ball loose. The ball stayed close enough for the catcher to make the tag before the runner was able to touch home. The Tigers led off the ninth with an out, but things got interesting after that. The Tigers hit a single up the middle and the next batter was hit by a pitch. A single to centerfield loaded the bases. The Tigers then hit a ground ball to short where the Owl player bobbled it allowing a runner to score and keeping the bases loaded. A three-RBI bases clearing double on a 1-0 count lifted the Tigers to a 6-5 victory.

Game 8: Fresno State vs. North Carolina

The Bulldogs continued their Cinderella season with a 5-3 victory over the Tar Heels to advance to the winner’s bracket of the CWS. Fresno State entered the CWS as the only No. 4 Regional seed ever to do so. The Bulldogs are now 2-0, and get to rest up until a Friday night contest against the winner of the LSU-North Carolina rematch. Fresno State will need one victory in a potential two game series to advance to the CWS championship series.

Nothing says summer to a college baseball player than a trip to Omaha, Nebraska for the College World Series. For some players, it's their chance in the national sunshine; for others, it's one last chance to swing the bat around. The 2008 College World Series begins on Saturday and eight teams come in with a chance to hold the national championship trophy when its all over. In part one, I'll talk about Bracket 1 and what each team has to do to win it all in Omaha

Miami Hurricanes

(52-9, #1 National Seed, 23rd CWS Appearance, 1999 & 2001 National Champs)

Since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1999, The U is the only school to win it all as the #1 overall seed; the same spot where the Canes are heading into Omaha. The Canes have been #1 since mid-March and won the ACC Regular Season and Tournament titles en route to hosting another regional at Mark Light Field.

The Canes are a balanced, potent, and are as dangerous lineup 1-9 as anyone in the CWS. CF Blake Tekotte and 2B Jemile Weeks (younger brother of Milwaukee 2B Rickie Weeks) form one of the best 1-2 lead-off combos in the game. They've combined for 168 hits, 22 HR, 106 RBI's and 157 Runs scored so far this season. If they don't beat you, then 1B (and top-10 pick) Yonder Alonso will with his 23 HR's and 71 RBI's. DH/RF Dennis Raben, SS Ryan Jackson, and 3B Mark Sobolewski all can provide pop in the middle of the lineup with C Yasmani Grandal and LF Dave DiNatale solidifying the bottom of the lineup.

Coach Jim Morris has another strong ace heading his staff in Chris Hernandez (11-0, 2.62 ERA, 112 K's in 106 1/3 innings) with Eric Erickson (8-1, 4.32) and Enrique Garcia (7-2, 4.56) rounding out their weekend rotation. Their bullpen is strong with Kyle Bellamy (6-0, 1.97, 69 K's) setting things up for closer Carlos Gutierrez (5-3, 3.02, 13 saves) at the end of the game. If the Canes can get by the Dawgs (Georgia that is) in their opening game, then they set themselves up for a shot at a 3rd national title under Jim Morris.

Florida State Seminoles

(54-12, #4 National Seed, 19th CWS Appearence, 1st since 2000)

Is this the year??? That's the question Seminole fans are asking skipper Mike Martin as he heads up to Omaha looking for that elusive first national title. If there ever was a team and if there ever was a year to do it; this is the team and 2008 is the year.

Offensively, the Noles live and die with C/IF/P Buster Posey and right now, life is grand for the Garnet and Gold. Posey either leads or is tied for the national lead in all three triple crown categories: .460 BA (1st), 26 HR (T-1st), 92 RBI (1st) not to mention that he leads in hits, slugging, and OPS (and BTW has 6 saves in 8 appearences). If you want to pitch around Posey, then OF Jack Rye (.381/7/52), 2B Dennis Guinn (.324/18/74), and 3B Jason Stidham (.317/10/59) will all make you pay. The big question will be can SS Tony Delmonico (.380/8/69) go after missing Games 2 and 3 of the Super Regional versus Wichita State with a leg injury.

The Noles' pitching staff will be asked to keep them in it if their bats cool off and it will be up to Ryan Strauss (10-1, 4.25 ERA, 4 saves), Matt Fairel (12-2, 3.74), and Elih Villanueva (7-3, 3.79) head up a FSU staff that will look to provide some support for one of the nation's most potent lineups. Their first round matchup with Stanford will tell the tale whether this will be the year the Noles break their jinx in Omaha.

Part 2 Tomorrow-Georgia and Stanford

The Miami Hurricanes moved into first place this week after a weekend sweep of Clemson. 

The Hurricanes have won 13 times in a row, and Arizona State dropped to No. 2 after losing its first weekend series to then-No. 13 Stanford. 

Florida State moved up three sports to No. 3 after sweeping then-No. 14 Virginia, and North Carolina dropped one spot despite winning its weekend series against Georgia Tech. 

Cal moved up to No. 5 after winning their weekend series against Oregon State.

Nebraska jumped up five spots this week after sweeping Texas Tech, and UC-Irvine dropped two spots to No. 7 after dropping their weekend series against then-No. 25 Cal State Fullerton. 

Missouri dropped four spots after losing their weekend series against Oklahoma State, followed by Wichita State at No. 9.

Stanford moved up three spots to round out the top 10 after their weekend series win over then-No. 1 Arizona State.

Rice, Texas, and San Diego all moved up four spots after winning their weekend series.

Georgia made their season debut at No. 14 after sweeping Clemson in mid-week play, and then-No. 9 South Carolina in SEC action.  South Carolina dropped six spots to No. 15.

Cal State Fullerton made a nine spot jump after winning their weekend series at then-No. 5 UC-Irvine, and Kentucky moved up four spots to No. 17 after winning their SEC weekend series against Auburn. 

Ole Miss returned to the top 25 with a weekend sweep of then-No. 8 Vanderbilt.  Vanderbilt dropped 11 spots to No. 19. 

Long Beach State also had a big fall, dropping 10 spots to No. 20 after losing their weekend series at UC Riverside.

Oklahoma State returned to the top 25 after winning their weekend series against then-No. 4 Missouri. UNC Wilmington dropped two spots to No. 21 after winning, losing, and tying this weekend at Northeastern. 

Michigan dropped one spot despite winning their weekend series at Penn State. Coastal Carolina remained at No. 24 while Florida dropped six spots to No. 25 after losing their weekend series at Tennessee.

Virginia (previously No. 14), Arizona (previously No. 18), and UCLA (previously No. 23) all dropped out of this week’s top 25 after losing their weekend series.

Around the SEC 

Alabama @ LSU: The Tigers won the first game on Saturday that was resumed from Friday night. 

Alabama bounced back to win game two of the double-header after the LSU Spring Football Game.  LSU bounced back to win Sunday, clinching the series.

Auburn @ Arkansas:  Auburn won the only SEC game able to be played on Friday night. Rain delayed all others.  

Arkansas bounced back to win Saturday, but Auburn won the rubber match to take the series.  Arkansas remains winless in SEC series this season.

Florida @ Tennessee:  The Volunteers took both games Saturday in Knoxville, but the Gators bounced back to prevent the sweep on Sunday.

South Carolina @ Georgia:  Georgia swept South Carolina to take over first place in the SEC East.  Georgia is the only SEC team to have won all their weekend series.

Mississippi State @ Kentucky:  State won game one, but Kentucky bounced back to win the next two and the series.  Mississippi State also remains winless in SEC series this season.

Vanderbilt @ Ole Miss:  Ole Miss answered a five-game losing streak with a five-game win streak, including a weekend sweep of Vanderbilt.  Ole Miss remains in first place in the SEC West.

SEC Standings

East:

     1. Georgia (9-3)

2. Florida (8-4)

3. Kentucky (7-5)

     Tennessee (7-5)

     5. South Carolina (6-6)

     6. Vanderbilt (5-6)

    West:

     1. Ole Miss (7-5)

     2. Auburn (6-6)

     3. LSU (5-7)

     Alabama (5-7)

     5. Arkansas (3-8)

     6. Miss. State (3-9)