Miami with four HRs, take the series from Louisville 10-8 led by Alex Sosa with a 4-5 performance and a pair of HRs.

BATTLE ROYALE. The two teams combined for eighteen runs and 23 hits in a fiercely contested third game, exchanging leads four times. Each inning saw the Cardinals put runs on the board, only for Miami to respond in kind. Neither starting pitcher lasted beyond the third inning, making the bullpen’s performance crucial. Both teams nearly exhausted their relievers; after Miami used eight relievers last night, it was unexpected to see AJ exit when he did. Nonetheless, the bullpen responded admirably, limiting the damage to just two runs after AJ’s departure. The long ball proved decisive for the Canes, accounting for eight of their ten runs. Both teams struggled to advance runners with men on base—Miami went 3-10 and Louisville 3-15 with runners in scoring position. Louisville managed to score in five of six innings after its leadoff batter reached base. In the final two innings, Miami’s bullpen dominated, striking out five of six batters faced, culminating with Lyndon Glidewell striking out the three batters he faced in the ninth on 13 pitches to secure a series victory, 10-8.

AJ Ciscar’s day began poorly. In his first pitch, Zion Rose doubled down the left field line. Things worsened when Griffin Crain laid down a sacrifice bunt, beating it out, and AJ threw the ball over Sosa’s head. Alex is making his first college appearance at first base, replacing Brylan West, who is out with a swollen ankle from last night’s game. Crain ends up at second, and Rose scores. It was not an auspicious start for a team already prone to errors.

Miami responded in the bottom of the inning with Derek William singling after Ogden and Galvin grounded out. The standout player, Alex Sosa, came up to bat and swung at a 1-2 pitch, sending it deep to right field 388 feet away to give Miami a 2-1 lead.

For the second inning, the Cardinals led off again with a double and took the lead back with three runs. They achieved this by advancing the base through a pair of singles, groundouts, and a hit batter.

Miami, trailing 4-2, narrows the score with an RBI single from Michael Torres, who drives in Gabriel Milano, after Milano had singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. End of the second inning: Louisville leads 4-3.

AJ continues to struggle, opening the third inning by losing the lead-off batter (HP) for the third time. Louisville capitalized again, scoring two runs to extend its lead to 6-3. The first run came on a wild pitch during a third strike, which would have been the third out, but instead allowed the runner from third to score. The inning escalated with a second hit batter (AJ’s third of the game), loading the bases, followed by a walk that brought in another run, marking what was likely AJ’s roughest outing. Sebastian Santos-Olson came in as relief and ended the inning with a line-out to first on the very first pitch.

Trailing 6-3, Miami responds by playing the long-ball game not once but twice, each with a man on, giving Miami back the lead, 7-6. Galvin opens the third with a double, and two batters later, Alex Sosa hits his second HR, topping his first, going 417 feet to deep center. Alex’s HR ends the day for their starter, joining AJ on a long walk to the dugout. Both starters finished in the third inning. New pitcher, new troubles. Walks Alvarez, followed by Dylan Dubovik’s 7th homer of the year, traveling the longest of the preceding HRs, 427 feet to deep left.

A total of 13 runs were scored across three innings. Both teams then went quiet for the next two innings, but the game intensified again as the 6th inning began. TJ Coats took over for Sebastian in the 6th, who had pitched two scoreless innings. A leadoff single put Tague Davis at the plate, showcasing why he leads the nation in home runs. Davis took a 1-2 pitch and launched a 411-foot shot to deep right field, his 33rd homer of the season, putting the Cardinals briefly back in front — though that advantage was short-lived.

Gabriel opens the bottom of the 6th with a lead-off single. Vince Sheahan, not known for hitting HRs, just barely clears the left-field fence, 330 feet down the line, by 6 feet. A home run is a home run, giving the lead back to Miami, 9-8. Sosa adds an insurance run with his 4th hit of the day and 5th RBI, singling to shallow right field, extending the Canes’ lead to 10-8, which ended all the scoring for the day.

Jack Durso entered to pitch the 8th inning, replacing Coats, needing only nine pitches and striking out two batters to retire the side. JD then turned to Lyndon Glidewell for the third time this series to close the game. After a challenging 8th inning last night, he redeemed himself today by striking out all three batters looking at the third strike. It was a strong finish that should serve as motivation heading into the final series against FSU in the last weekend of ACC play.

Offensively, it was a long-ball day, with four leaving the park. If Miami expects to go the distance in postseason play, they are going to have to see more of this. Miami has problems moving the line, leaving runners on base. Eight of today’s ten runs were accounted for by the long ball. We would never have been in today’s game without it. The player of the day, without a doubt, was Alex Sosa, 4-5 with a pair of HRs and five RBIs. Should be ACC Player of the Week. Also with multiple hits: Max Galvin 2-4 with a pair of doubles; Dylan Dubovik 2-4 with a HR; and Gabriel Milano also with a 2-4 day. Vance Sheahan is the 4th member of the team with a HR.

AJ Ciscar experienced his toughest outing of the season, unable to complete the third inning. Unless everyone else performs differently this weekend, he will move into second place in the ACC with 14 hit batters, adding three more today. The bullpen looked strong today, especially Jack Durso and Lyndon Glidewell, who shut the door in the final two innings with five strikeouts. With temperatures soaring—probably over 100 on the field—I want to commend the relievers. You stepped up when it mattered most against a team with formidable power at the plate.

Time is running out for the defense, and it remains unclear how long our corner players will be unavailable. The middle infield is also struggling. West was seen swinging a bat, suggesting he might be preparing to pinch-hit, so his return could be imminent. As for Cuvet, his college playing days may be over. Gabriel has performed well at the plate but still needs to improve defensively. He should strengthen his arm and avoid double-clutching when throwing, which wastes valuable seconds. Personally, I prefer Jake at shortstop for his stronger arm, but it’s probably too late in the season to change positions. Defensively, I like the idea of having Jake at first and Jailen at second, though that would take West and Sosa’s power bats out of the lineup. With Dubovik showing he’s back to hitting, the designated hitter spot presents a tough decision. It seems we are stuck with our current defensive setup, which needs more time to overcome its weaknesses, but that window is quickly closing.

Next Thursday marks the start of the highly anticipated series. A sweep or victory could secure us a hosting spot for a regional and a double bye in the tournament. The standings are quite competitive in the middle, with Miami in fifth and the Noles positioned just above us. The first pitch is set for 6PM, with Rob Evans likely to start.