Miami Strikes Early, Ends Bulldogs' Postseason Run With 10-4 Win
June 06, 2005 | Baseball
Official Game Statistics (PDF)
CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Mississippi State's 115th season of baseballcame to a close shortly before midnight at Miami's Mark Light Stadium.In a game delayed 96 minutes by a tropical thunderstorm, the 11th-rankedHurricanes posted a 10-4 win over the 19th-ranked Bulldogs, capturingthe 2005 Coral Gables Regional. The win gave the Hurricanes their 20thregional tournament win in 22 hosted at Mark Light Stadium.
The Bulldogs concluded the season with a 42-22 record and reached thechampionship game in regional tournament play for the 16th time in 22tournaments.
Brendan Katin went 4-for-5 and the top three in the UM batting order--- Danny Figueroa, Paco Figueroa and Ryan Braun combined for six hitsand six RBI to lead Miami to the title.
The Hurricanes jumped on Bulldog starter Brooks Dunn (6-3) early,scoring twice in the first and adding four more for a 6-0 advantage inthe second. Dunn, the winning pitcher in MSU's 4-1 SEC Tournamentchampionship game, retired two batters after giving up an infield singleto Danny Figueroa to open the game. But Dunn walked John Jay and DannyValencia, turned loose on a 3-0 count, ripped a two-run double into thegap in left-center field.
Miami continued to pressure the Bulldogs in the second when four of thefirst five UM batters reached base. Paco Figueroa's run-scoring one-outdouble down the left field line ended Dunn's stay in the game.
Freshman Justin Pigott, who replaced Dunn in the second, retired Miamiin order in the third. But in the fourth Walter Diaz opened the framewith a single, was balked to second base and raced home on Figueroa'ssecond double of the game.
Miami starter Brandon Camardese silenced the Bulldogs through threeinnings before running into problems.
In the fourth Brad Corley reached on an infield single, JosephMcCaskill laced a single to left and Jeff Butts drove them both homewith a double into the left field corner. Camardese walked MichaelRutledge and Jeffrey Rea reached on a fielding error to load the basesin the inning but avoided further damage when Ed Easley popped up tosecond base.
That damage came in the fifth inning. Thomas Berkery and Brad Jonesopened the inning with singles, chasing Camardese from the game. DannyGill, who replaced Camardese, walked Corley to load the bases. JosephHunter then singled in a run, and another run scored when JosephMcCaskill grounded into a double play. Andrew Lane took over on themound and struck out Jeff Butts to end the rally. Lane (3-0) shut outthe Bulldogs with four-hit pitching and three strikeouts to earn thewin.
Miami answered the Bulldogs with some long ball power. Justin Pigott,who kept the Bulldogs in the game with a solid 4-2/3 inning reliefstint, gave up a double and a two-out home run by Ryan Braun in thesixth. And senior relief man Saunders Ramsey was touched for a toweringsolo home run by Eddy Rodriguez for a 10-4 lead in the top of theseventh.
Joseph Hunter went 3-for-5 and both Jeffrey Rea and Brad Corley had twohad two hits each for State..
Junior outfielders Jeff Butts and Brad Corley represented MississippiState on the all-tournament team announced following the tournament.
MIAMI 10, MISSISSIPPI STATE 4
UM (41-17-1) 240 102 10--- 10-14-2MSU (42-22) 000 220 00--- 4-9-2WP --- Andrew Lane (3-0). LP ---- Brooks Dunn (6-3). HR --- Ryan Braun(18), Eddy Rodrigues (8) . ATT --- .
