Garrett Kennedy helps UM baseball team rout Virginia Tech 11-1
After a come-from-behind victory in 10 innings Wednesday, the University of Miami wasted no time in taking control Friday at Mark Light Field.
The 11th-ranked Hurricanes continued their tear through the midseason by defeating Atlantic Coast Conference foe Virginia Tech 11-1 for their sixth consecutive victory.
The Canes (26-9, 12-4 ACC) dominated offensively and defensively, pounding out 16 hits — including a two-run, fourth-inning blast to right field by Garrett Kennedy, who had three hits and scored four times.
“Everybody is swinging the bat good right now, so that’s a plus,’’ Kennedy said. “I’ve been getting some good pitches to hit and not missing them.’’
Left-handed starter Thomas Woodrey (4-1, 2.19 ERA) did his part by allowing one run on four hits in six innings and striking out a career-high seven. He said the four-run first made his job much easier.
“From there my goal was just to throw strikes and let my defense work.’’
UM coach Jim Morris lauded his team’s “complete game,’’ but was especially pleased with the pitching.
“I think the pitching sets the tone,’’ the coach said, “even though we did score some runs, there early to give the pitchers a chance to throw strikes. Woody did a great job staying ahead of the hitters all night. He could have pitched longer than he did, but we got up big and we got him out of there.’’
UM reliever Sam Abrams struck out a career-high five batters and allowed one hit in two innings to continue the job admirably, with senior Ryan Otero pitching the final inning.
The Hokies (17-18, 7-9) never had much of a chance, as Miami scored often and in bunches — four runs in the first inning, two in the fourth, four in the sixth and another in the seventh.
Besides Kennedy, who came into the game batting .375 and left it batting .390, four Hurricanes had multiple hits: Ricky Eusebio, Brandon Lopez, Christopher Barr and George Iskenderian.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, the Canes will attempt to clinch their ninth consecutive series at Mark Light Field, dating to March of 2014, with ace Andy Suarez (3-0, 2.00) on the mound.
Miami is 19-2 at home this season.
This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 11:01 PM with the headline "Garrett Kennedy helps UM baseball team rout Virginia Tech 11-1."