''In another year or two, you're gonna have to help me up,'' Morris said.
That apparently was the only obstacle in the Hurricanes' path during the first round of pool play at the ACC tournament. With freshman left-hander Chris Hernandez delivering another dominating performance, the Hurricanes used timely hitting and solid defense in a 7-1 victory against Clemson.
It marked UM's first opening-round victory since joining the conference in 2004-05. The third-ranked Hurricanes (44-8) entered with a 2-6 record in ACC postseason play.
''This was a big win for us -- you're in the ACC tournament,'' Morris said. ``It would be nice to win it, no question, since we've never won it. We haven't played that well in the tournament since we've been here. But ultimately our goal is Omaha [Neb., for the College World Series].''
EARLY ADVANTAGES
Regardless of what happens this week at the Jacksonville Baseball Grounds, UM has locked up a high national seed and the postseason hosting rights that come with it. Still, the Canes were relieved to finally get off to a strong start in the conference tournament.
Sophomore third baseman Mark Sobolewski sparked UM with a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning.
Sobolewski scored on an RBI single by shortstop Ryan Jackson, and from there, Hernandez took over.
Keeping Clemson's hitters off balance with his trademark cut fastball, Hernandez gave up just four hits in eight innings. He struck out 10.
Only one Tigers batter advanced to second base against Hernandez, and that came in the eighth inning, when shortstop Stan Widdman reached on an error and stole second.
''The big thing was all my pitches were falling for strikes,'' Hernandez said. ``It kept the hitters guessing. They were pretty much guessing every time.''
Said Clemson coach Jack Leggett: ``Hernandez was very good [Wednesday]. He had his cutter going, and he knows how to pitch. We really never got anything going at all.''
It was a familiar scene for Morris, who has watched Hernandez win all 11 of his decisions this season and earn a spot on the All-ACC first team after bypassing an opportunity to sign with the Detroit Tigers out of high school.
Hernandez was selected in the 14th round of last summer's amateur draft.
ALWAYS SHARP
''He's exceeded our expectations,'' Morris said. ``You don't expect anyone to be 11-0 as a freshman -- maybe anyone to be 11-0. He's very, very good every single time out, knock on wood. Hopefully, that will continue for three more tournaments.''
Clemson ace D.J. Mitchell (6-5) settled down after giving up four runs in the first two innings. He struck out 11 batters, and at one point retired 10 in a row. But the Canes scored three more runs in the sixth, with pinch-hitter Joey Terdoslavich delivering an RBI double and center fielder Blake Tekotte adding an RBI single.
Eight Hurricanes had hits, and seven players scored.
''Their offense is as good as it gets from top to bottom,'' Leggett said. ``They keep coming at you.''
UM returns to action at 5 p.m. Thursday against Georgia Tech.
