University of Miami

Miami baseball sweeps first series under new coach J.D. Arteaga, despite Sunday rainout

Miami Hurricanes shortstop JD Urso (2) talks with kids during a rain delay of a University of Miami baseball game against NJIT, on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables.
Miami Hurricanes shortstop JD Urso (2) talks with kids during a rain delay of a University of Miami baseball game against NJIT, on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables. Alie Skowronski

J.D. Arteaga’s first series as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes baseball program ended prematurely — but perfectly.

The Hurricanes (3-0) defeated New Jersey Intitute of Technology (0-3) Friday night and in a Saturday doubleheader, but Sunday’s scheduled 1 p.m. finale at Mark Light Field was initially delayed because of rain, then canceled at 1:46 p.m.

No inning could start after 5:10 p.m. Sunday because of the Highlanders’ travel plans to return to New Jersey.

UM outscored NJIT 43-9 in the three-game series that began Friday night with an 8-7 walk-off win and continued with victories in the Saturday doubleheader — 19-2 in the first game and 16-0 in the night game.

UM used 11 pitchers in the series, eight of them making their Miami debuts. Herick Hernandez, Rafe Schlesinger and Drew Dwyer earned the victories.

Of the 16 Miami players that appeared in the doubleheader, 13 had hits.

Highly touted freshman Daniel Cuvet, who chose UM after being drafted in the 17th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, had nine hits in 13 at-bats for a team-leading .692 average. Cuvet’s weekend included two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI.

This is the 18th consecutive opening series that the Hurricanes have won. The last time UM lost an opening series was 2007 against Mercer.

Per UM, fans can exchange tickets for another home game except Florida, or request a refund at the box office.

The Canes return to Mark Light Field for a 5 p.m. first pitch against the UCF Knights, who, like UM, has a first-year coach in Rich Wallace, an Orlando native and former UCF baseball player and assistant coach.

UCF (1-0) defeated Bryant University 12-11 in the Friday opener, but the second and third games of the series were cancelled because of rain.

This story was originally published February 18, 2024 at 1:47 PM.

Susan Miller Degnan
Miami Herald
Miami Herald sports writer Susan Miller Degnan has been the Miami Hurricanes football beat writer since 2000, the season before the Canes won it all. She has won several APSE national writing awards and has covered everything from Canes baseball to the College Football Playoff to major marathons to the Olympics.
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