Miami Hurricanes win baseball series opener against Pittsburgh to clinch No. 11 seed at ACC Tournament
The Cardiac Canes are going to Charlotte.
The Hurricanes rallied to beat the Pitt Panthers, 5-3, Thursday evening at Mark Light Field, securing their spot in the 2024 ACC Baseball Championship.
With Pitt (24-27, 8-20 ACC) ahead by two through six innings, Miami (25-27, 11-17 ACC) found its spark.
Veteran shortstop JD Urso clubbed a game-tying two-run blast in the seventh, sending the first-base dugout into a frenzy.
After Urso’s third career homer, three of the next four Hurricanes drew free passes to load the bases.
Two pitches later, senior first baseman Carlos Perez was hit by a pitch to put Miami in front, 4-3.
The Hurricanes tacked on an insurance tally in the eighth, which proved to be more than enough for fifth-year redshirt sophomore left-handed pitcher Myles Caba.
Caba (3) struck out all six batters he faced to lock down the win and clinch a postseason berth for Miami.
Junior right-hander Gage Ziehl (4-3) earned the victory with his 10th quality start in 14 outings. Ziehl struck out six batters across seven innings, surrendering three runs.
Pitt right-hander Matthew Fernandez (3-5) was tagged with the loss.
The Hurricanes will look to seal the series Friday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
