Box Score Coral Gables, Fla. – A pair of Stetson freshman pitchers did all they could do to contain one of the top offensive teams in all of college baseball, but the Hatters were unable to generate enough offense to overcome Miami in a 4-2 loss at Alex Rodriguez Park Wednesday night.
Stetson starter Erik Wibeke (1-2) was a little shaky in his second start, but held the Canes (11-2) to just four runs. Three of those came on one swing in the fourth inning off the bat of Willie Abreu. His home run to deep left ended Wiebke's night and gave Miami all the runs it would need.
The 'Canes got a strong performance on the mound from their redshirt freshman, Keven Pimentel (1-0) in his first collegiate start. The right-hander blanked Stetson on four hits over 5.2 innings of work before turning the game over to the Miami bullpen.
The Canes got on the board first in the second inning when Brandon Lopez doubled down the right field line and then scored on a single to left by Abreu.
That duo played key roles again in the fourth inning to end the day for Wiebke. It was Johnny Ruiz who got things started with a single into shallow center. Lopez then ripped a ball down the left field line that just escaped the diving attempt of the Hatters Jacob Koos for a double.
With runners at 2nd and third Abreu worked to a 2-2 count before blasting the deciding home run, his second of the year.
Freshman Logan Gilbert came on to pitch for the Hatters after the home run, and kept the Hurricanes at bay, giving Stetson a chance to mount a comeback attempt. Gilbert pitched 4.2 innings in relief of Wiebke, allowing just four hits while striking out three.
The Stetson offense was finally able to put two runs in the board in the eighth inning. Koos led off the inning with a single before Matt Morales drew a walk. Cory Reid then beat out a bouncer over the mound to load the bases and chase Miami reliever Andrew Cabezas from the game.
The 'Canes turned to junior closer Bryan Garcia, who got John Fussel to ground out, scoring a run to break a 16-inning scoreless streak for the Hatters at Mark Light Field. After walking Will Mackenzie to reload the bases, Garcia struck out pinch hitter Jorge Flores for the second out.
Vance Vizcaino then drew a walk from Garcia after an extended plate appearance to plate a second run, but Austin Hale grounded out to end the inning.
In the ninth, the Hatters got a one-out single from Koos after Kirk Stillwell struck out, but Garcia followed with strikeouts of Morales and Reid to end the game and earn his third save of the year.
The Hatters (7-7) will return home to Melching Field this weekend, opening a three-game series against Maine on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear cammo and hunting gear as the Hatters declare hunting season open on the Black Bears.
