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And then there were two.
A day after eliminating Southern from Starkville regional play, the Canes knocked out Central Michigan – the same team that feels UM to the loser's bracket on Friday night. UM jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the fifth and beat the Chippewas on Sunday afternoon, 18-3, behind six home runs.
UM advances to the sunday night game against Mississippi State (slated to start at 9 ET). Lose that one and the Canes are out. Win and the teams will play again on Monday night at 7 pm ET.
"Now we have the opportunity to play in this atmosphere," coach Gino DiMare said. "I know our players are looking forward to it."
There were numerous Hurricane standouts in the afternoon victory.
Brian Van Belle started and went eight strong, allowing eight hits and three runs with one walk and eight strikeouts.
"You could not really do it better," DiMare said. "Once again, we were fortunate." Brian threw an unbelievable game.This is a good hitting team, a very good hitting team. at some point in the middle part of the game. "
Alex Ruiz came in and pitched a scoreless ninth.
The home runs came from Alex Toral (2), Anthony Vilar, Adrian Del Castillo, Raymond Gil and Gabe Rivera. Toral had a huge day at the table, going 4-for-5 with 4 runs and 4 RBIs (in addition to the two homers he also had a double).
Del Castillo had 2 runs and 3 RBI; Vilar had 3 hits; Gil had 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBI; and Rivera had 2 hits, 2 runs and 3 RBI.
Asked about Toral, Van Belle said, "First off, Toral just rakes. I've played with that guy since he was a freshman in high school. We both went to Archbishop McCarthy. Even then, he would come to our school as an eighth grader and put balls on top of the school. "
The recap:
After the Canes went down 1-2-3 in Central Michigan. With two outs Jordan Lala misjudged a ball in centerfield and had it hit off his mitt for a two base error, then a bunt for a hit moved runners to the corners. Aim to pop up ended the threat.
After a quick second inning UM's first hit was in the top of the third when the torrent was off. Michael Amditis flew out to left, then Rivera hit a 1-2 pitch over the left field and it was 2-0 Canes.
After a fly out?
Another home run, this time on the first pitch, that makes it deep to right, making it 3-0.
The fourth inning saw UM pad the lead. After Del Castillo it was Gil the third homer of the game for Miami, making it 5-0.
And Miami was not done.
Gates was followed by an infield hit, and then an Amditis bunt was thrown away on an attempt at third base, bringing in another runner-up and putting on second and third with no outs. A fly ball to the field was lost in the sun by the fielder, making it 7-0, though Central Michigan got an out when Amditis got hung up between the bases. Lala followed with a sacrifice fly and it was 8-0.
In the fifth Miami made it 11-0, all with two outs. Gil and Gates singled, then Gil scored on a balk … and Toral followed with a homer.
With the big lead the Canes were able to rest some starters for the night game (Gil, Amditis and Rivera were taken out … with Lala and Gates coming out later on).
In the bottom half of the inning? A leadoff double headed to a third. A Van Belle strikeout was followed by a single up the middle and then a double made 11-2.
Miami add more runs. A HBP and walk on the front and back of the front runner. Freddy Zamora followed with a bag, and it was 12-2.
UM was not done.
Del Castillo crushed the ball to right for Miami's fifth home run, making it 14-2.
In the seventh Isaac Quinones walked with one out and advanced on a wild pitch, scoring on Tony Jenkins single.
Three singles in the bottom half a third run for the Chippewas, making it 15-3 heading to the eighth.
It was 17-3 after Toral's second home run plating Willy Escala, who had walked.
In the top of the cannons added to a final run – after Crosbie walked to third on a Zamora single and then scored on a one-out Del Castillo groundout.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
FINAL STATS
Miami Head Coach Gino DiMare Opening Statement
GD: "Once again we were fortunate." Brian [Van Belle] threw an unbelievable game. That is a good hitting team, a very good hitting team. It helps when you get a lot of runs on the board. I felt like we were coming out of their sails at some point in the middle part of the game. "
"It was kind of similar to yesterday, where we were able to get some guys out of the game. We got [Michael] Amditis out as a catcher early and get him in the air with the other guys as well. We can only bring in so many guys, we do not have that many guys here. We emptied the bench as much as we could for position players. This guy here [Brian Van Belle] did just what we needed and just what the doctor ordered, unbelievable job. Now, we have the opportunity to play in this atmosphere. I know our players are looking forward to it. "
Q: Do you know who you are going to play against Mississippi State?
GD: "Yeah, we're going to start Slade Cecconi."
Q: What are your impressions of what you have seen so far from Mississippi State?
GD: "They swing the bat. That lefty [Ethan Small] was very good, I was not at the game last night. I watched it on TV, but our coaches were there. The guy throws a lot of fastballs. He hides the ball. I can see why he is as good as he is and good as advertised. "
"They are playing in arguably one of the toughest environments for a visiting team. They got the home crowd on their side. We got to know each other, and we are ready to go out of their way. I think our guys are going to look forward to it. They came to the game last night – a lot of our guys were just getting a taste of the atmosphere which I think is good for them. We are going to grow up real fast in this game right here, and I am looking forward to watching our guys play. "
Q: What do you think of Alex Toral's home run accomplishment?
GD: It's amazing. For anyone who has played in our ballpark, our park is not suitable for a left-handed hitter. Yonder Alonso, most of his home runs, were to the opposite field. If the wind blows out of center, I am thinking if I have been playing this place or maybe Wake Forest, he might have 40 home runs this year. It is tough to hit the ball out of our ballpark in right field but just amazing story from last year to this year. I can not be happier for him, and I am proud of him. He is swinging the bat like we thought he would be in the first place and definitely at the right time. Batting seventh in our lineup, I would probably say hitter in the country. It is good to have him. "
Miami Starting Pitcher Brian Van Belle
Q: How much did you know the team's pitching situation impact your start today?
BVB: "I was going into the business that I needed to go into the game as I could. I told myself to go out there and battle. That's pretty much what I tried to do. I did not really look at the pitch count or think about it going into the game or during it. I just went out there and went on the attack. I know they are a good hitting team. They jump on fastballs. I just wanted to go deep into the game to save our plan for tonight and tomorrow. "
Q: What are your thoughts on the offense?
BVB: "First off, [Alex] Toral just rakes. I've played with that guy since he was a freshman in high school. We both went to Archbishop McCarthy. Even then, he would come to our school as an eighth grader and put balls on top of the school. "
"Other than that, the offense has gone down the pitching the entire year. There have been countless times where we have gotten down and after home run or double after double. As a pitcher, there have been games this year where they have picked me up and scored six or three in the first inning. Maybe I let them down or did not throw so well on my part. That was my motive today. I know they have picked me up and hit throughout the whole game. I told myself to go out there and keep throwing up zeros. They have done that for me all year. "
Q: What did you think about the environment at last night's game?
BVB: "We came to the game last night with about half the team. The atmosphere is great. I have never seen anything like it, other than a big-league game. The fans are really kind and nice. They treat you well. Even though you're going to play against them, they treat you well. "
Central Michigan Head Coach Jordan Bischel Opening Statement
JB: "Number one, I really want to thank Mississippi State for everything they have done. . "
"From there, you really have to tip your cap to Miami. That ball club is really good and really dangerous. If we were not eliminated, I would love to watch this game tonight. That's really, really good ball clubs [in Miami and Mississippi State]. Whoever comes out of this is going to represent the NCAA really well in the Super Regionals. We are excited to have these guys until today. I am really proud of our guys and really impressed by them. "
Q: What does this tournament mean to you and these players?
JB: "I have been really fortunate. I have been coaching at Division 1, Division 2, Division 2 and NAIA. It does not matter in terms of the type of kids that you coach. This group, I do not know how to pick one another, I am coached. I am really the fortunate one who has had the chance to watch these guys grow. It is life-long memories. I have these two guys, who are growing up to be like these guys, I am going to be proud of the road. "
Q: Do you feel like this regional will have an impact on how successful are you?
JB: "Yes, and it is a combination of the two that you need. A bunch of kids in the dugout but if you are losing 35 to 40 is not going to be anybody any good. I think it's a combination of results, which makes Central Michigan baseball ridiculously strong. By far one of the best programs in the Midwest. The outpouring of the support of our alumni with what they were so overwhelming for me. It is not just a recruiting thing, a lot of people did some great things in this program. I feel like our guys did a great job of making them proud. "
Q: What went well for Miami especially early in the game?
BC: "To break it down, they can hit. You have to give credit when it is due. They played a really good baseball game. "
Central Michigan Infielder Ty Rollin
Q: What is the NCAA Tournament as a senior?
TR: "It was always having fun. As you guys can see, we have had plenty of fun. It's a great group of guys. I'm going to miss everybody. "
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