Miami advances to the quarter-finals with a decisive 11-2 victory over Stanford. In a one-and-out format, Miami ensured they wouldn’t suffer a repeat of last year’s disappointment against California, when they were eliminated on the first day before noon. This team was of a different caliber, coming off a strong win against FSU to close the regular season. Their bats were on fire, putting runs on the board every inning except two, producing eleven runs on twelve hits while striking out only once. Every player contributed with at least one hit, and Alonzo Alvarez stood out, going 4-5 with two doubles and two home runs. Rob Evans was dominant on the mound, overpowering the Cardinal hitters and settling down after the third inning to allow just one hit over the next four frames. Miami is confident and prepared for its game against Boston tomorrow at 3 PM, weather permitting.
Stanford opened the second inning with a leadoff single and an RBI double. Miami responded in the bottom of the inning with Alvarez’s first of two home runs, followed by two walks and an RBI single by Fabio, giving the Canes a 3-1 lead. Stanford stayed competitive in the third with a solo home run, cutting the deficit to one run, but their rally ended there as Miami put the pedal to the metal with eight unanswered runs.
Miami’s scoring surge began in the 4th inning, with Stanford taking a page from Miami’s defensive playbook and committing their second of four errors. Errors cost runs, as they learned in the second inning when Milano scored on an E6. The same result in the 4th, with Sheahan reaching base on an E4 and coming around to score on a pair of walks, a SAC, and an RBI by Galvin, who drove in two.
In the 5th, Stanford switched directions, with WPs taking over for errors, committing three. The highlight of the inning was Vance laying down the perfect squeeze. Miami led at the end of five, 7-2, by a pair of runs.
In the 6th inning, Alonzo, already credited with a double and a home run, added a second home run with Alex on base, who had singled earlier in the at-bat. The following inning, a double error by the shortstop allowed another run for the Canes. The shortstop’s initial mistake occurred while attempting to handle a ground ball from Williams, which advanced Ogden to third base—Ogden had singled earlier—and he scored when the shortstop threw past the pitcher, who was trying to return the ball to him.
Miami’s final score was recorded in the 8th inning when Alonzo led off with his second double of the day and eventually scored on Gabriel’s sacrifice fly to right field.
Alonzo Alvarez had a standout day, leading all hitters with a 4-for-5 performance that included two doubles and two home runs. He was the only player with multiple hits. Each team member contributed one hit, and the only other extra-base hit was a double by Gabriel Milano in the sixth inning. The team batted an overall .333 and, more importantly, had only one strikeout.
Rob Evans was the captain at the helm, steering the team to the winner’s bracket. He delivered a strong seven-innings performance, throwing 90 pitches, striking out six, and allowing only four hits. The only setback was another bullpen issue. Jake Dorn came in relief, replacing Rob in the eighth inning. He surrendered two singles but, to his credit, recorded two strikeouts. He returned for the ninth, but Packy Bradley-Cooney had to step in after Dorn loaded the bases with three walks.
Tomorrow, our game against Boston is at 3 PM. Miami’s defense needs to maintain excellence with no errors, the batting lineup continues to perform strongly, and Lazaro must deliver a commanding performance. If we have to rely on the bullpen early, I prefer to stay optimistic. Today is a moment to remember and celebrate our victory.
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