CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Javier Gorostola was issued two walks but ended Tuesday's game at Miami going 0-for-2 at the plate officially, ending his hit streak at 45 games. The Miami native's 45-game streak, long a program record, concludes tied for the sixth-longest hit streak in Division I history.
Not only did Gorostola draw two walks, but he also made a pair of highlight-worthy plays in the field at the hot corner.
Evan Dempsey also wowed the crowd of 2,742 – the third-largest crowd to watch an FGCU vs. Miami game – with a diving catch in center field. However, the Eagles (19-9) dropped the mid-week contest against Miami (22-7) in a 12-4 final at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field in Coral Gables.
"To be honest, I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity the Lord allowed for me," Gorostola said of his hit streak. "Hopefully, throughout all the noise and hype of this streak, someone - even if it's one person - sees the Lord working through me and that anything is possible with will and with God. Now, let's go start a new one on Thursday. I just want to keep helping out the team and working towards our goal of a championship."
Cayden Hessemyer led the Eagles at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance with a run scored. Sebastian Lippman recorded his first hit of the season, a two-run home run that hit the scoreboard in left field.
The Canes were led by Jake Ogden's 4-for-4 day at the plate with four runs scored while also drawing a walk. Catcher Alonzo Alvarez went 2-for-4 as he and Ogden were the only Miami batters to record multiple hits.
Preston Rogers (3-3) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs on two hits in 2 2/3 innings in the start. Miami's Jake Dorn (3-0) was credited with the win, holding the Eagles scoreless and allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out four.
In the second inning,
Evan Dempsey scored on a wild pitch, leveling the score at 1-1.
The Canes responded in the third inning as Williams hit a three-run homer, propelling them to a 4-1 lead.
Florida Gulf Coast closed the gap in the fourth inning when Lippman hit a two-run homer, making the score 4-3. However, UM answered back with two runs, extending their lead to 6-3.
The sixth inning saw the Hurricanes further extend their lead with five runs, including a two-run homer by Brylan West, bringing the score to 11-3. Miami would tack on one more run in the eighth, then, in the ninth inning, Rapoza doubled to center field, allowing Cole Lasher to score.
Florida Gulf Coast will travel to Carrollton, Georgia, for an ASUN series against West Georgia that begins on Thursday, April 2 at 6 p.m.
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