The Jackets took the field last weekend against No. 1 Miami. Unfortunately, the Jackets were unable to mount either an offense or defense and got swept in three games—twice on Saturday in a double-header and again on Sunday afternoon.
In the first game Saturday morning, the scoring started early and often for the Hurricanes, who pounded out 17 hits to go along with 10 runs. The Hurricanes won 10-5. Jemile Weeks singled in the first with one out ahead of Yonder Alonso’s seventh home run of the season. Neither team would put a number on the scoreboard until the fourth, when Hurricanes’ short stop Ryan Jackson doubled and scored on Dave DiNatale’s single with two outs. In the fifth, Miami struck yet again with a another run.
The Jackets finally put some hits together and scored when junior Jason Haniger doubled in sophomore Tony Plagman for an RBI. Junior Chris House bunted a single for an RBI, and junior Luke Murton singled in a run to make the score 4-3.
Miami broke the game open in the seventh, scoring three runs to take a 7-3 lead. Tech got one back in the bottom of the eighth, but could not muster enough to make a comeback.
The second game started off worse for the Jackets, which they eventually went on to lose, 15-5. The Hurricanes scored nine runs in the first three innings to chase starter Eddie Burns (4-3) from the game. The Jackets got one back in the bottom of the second when House singled Plagman to third, and Plagman scored on sophomore Patrick Long’s sacrifice fly. In the third, Miami broke the game open with four more runs.
The Jackets had the bases loaded in the fourth with two out. They drove in a run when Haniger drew a full-count walk. Rowland grounded out, though, to end the inning. For the Hurricanes, Tekotte added a two run home run in the seventh and a three run home run in the top of the ninth to seal the scoring for Miami.
The Jackets were unable to clinch a win in the final game, as the Miami offense was just too powerful for Zach Von Tersch (4-2). In the bottom of the first, freshman Thomas Nichols walked with one out and advanced to second on Charlie Blackmon’s groundout. Derek Dietrich followed with a two-out single that scored Nichols for Tech’s first lead of the series.
In the second inning, Plagman took the first pitch over the center field fence for a home run. Miami quickly tied the game at two in the top of the third.
Tech, showing resilience, again took the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Nichols doubled and advanced to third on Blackmon’s sacrifice bunt. Nichols scored on the catcher’s passed ball to make the score 3-2.
The lead did not last for long, however, as Miami’s patient offense found their groove. The Hurricanes picked up one run in the fourth, which tied the game at three. In the bottom half of the fourth inning, House reached on a fielding error and moved to second on a wild pitch. The Jackets were unable to push any runs across, though, as the game stayed tied.
In the very next inning, Sobolewski singled to open the frame but was tagged out at second on a pop-up to center field. DiNatale reached first on the play. Severino followed with a two-run home run to right center to give the ‘Canes the lead for good.
In the seventh, Severino singled with one out and Vazquez also singled to follow. Both advanced a base on a wild pitch by Andrew Robinson – the third on the day for the Jackets.
The three losses moved the Jackets to 26-10 on the season and 9-9 in conference. The Jackets look to rebound for the remainder of ACC schedule which includes Wake Forest, Clemson, UVA and Maryland.