Also with Game 2 starters at the end.

In a game dominated by pitching, Florida used two big innings to defeat Miami 7-1 in the series opener. Florida starter Alex Panteliodis went 5.2 innings and struck out a career high 8, while holding the Canes to 2 hits and 1 run. The sophomore had a no hitter going until the 5th and kept UM off balance with a combination of perfectly placed fastballs and solid off speed pitches.

Miami picked up their only run of the evening in the 6th after Zeke DeVoss (CF) tripled with one out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Stephen Perez (SS). Nick Maronde relieved with two outs in the 6th and was even more effective. He finished the game to pick up his first career save while throwing for 3.1 innings, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out 7 Canes himself.

With none on and two outs one thought Panteliodis might finish the inning, but Coach Kevin O’Sullivan continued a trend he has started early this year in bringing in a reliever with two outs. He has done this several times this season and it has gotten to a point where I believe it must be in his pitching philosophy as he was a pitching coach before a head coach. Maybe he wants the reliever to come in without a lot of pressure only needing to get one out. Several times I thought the starter could have finished the inning when he has done this, and it hasn’t been blow the lead situations either. I just don’t like it because if a guy gets a one pitch out, now he is sitting until the next inning.

UM starter All American Chris Hernandez took the loss as he went 6 innings allowing 8 hits and 4 runs, 3 earned, while striking out 8 Gators. He was really only hurt by one big inning by Florida, aided by a very untimely Miami error. The Canes have had some fielding problems this season, and the initial error of the game was enough to cost them the loss.

Freshman Nolan Fontana singled with one out in the 3rd. Fontana should have been eliminated on what could have been a double play ground ball by Mike Zunino (C). Miami 3B Harold Martinez threw the ball into right field instead. Matt den Dekker (CF) singled but Fontana slipped and was held at third. Josh Adams notched his only hit of the game with a single and scored Fontana and Zunino. Struggling sophomore sensation Preston Tucker (1B) was hit by a pitch to reload the bases. Freshman Austin Tucker singled to score den Dekker and Adams, and Tucker was caught in a rundown trying to get to third. It was a missed opportunity as Daniel Pigott (RF) doubled to move Maddox to third. Tucker obviously would have scored and had it been anyone but the slow moving DH/catcher Maddox they probably would have scored on the play. Tyler Thompson struck out to end the inning.

Canes reliever E.J. Encinosa relieved Hernandez in the 7th and got into the 8th before he got into trouble. Tucker walked to start the inning and Maddox singled behind him. Daniel Pigott was unable to get a sacrifice bunt down and struck out after the count got to 2-2 and O’Sullivan took off the bunt play. Thompson walked to load the bases and end the night for Encinosa. The freshman hadn’t given up a run yet in his career but left with 3 men on he was responsible for. LHP Sam Robinson came in and struck out Jerico Weitzel (3B), who had come into the game as a defensive sub for starter Bryson Smith. Just when it looked like Miami would escape the inning unscathed, Robinson hit Fontana to make the score 5-1. Zunino then singled to bring home Maddox and Thompson and provide the final 7-1 margin.

Game 2

Florida will start Brian Johnson tonight in game two. The freshman has 2 appearances with 1 start. Johnson went 5.2 innings without allowing a run against USF on Feb 20th. Jason Santana will start for the Canes and has struggled so far this season. Santana has 2 appearances, with 8.1 innings pitched. He has allowed 15 hits, 11 runs of which 10 are earned, with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. Opponents are hitting .395 against the 6th year senior who is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA. Hopefully the Gators will be able to take this second game and lock up the series. The final game is tomorrow on TV on Fox Sports Florida at 3PM.