Football just ended in December and basketball is beginning to enter the crux of its ACC schedule. Now, it’s time for baseball!
In anticipation of the 2014 season, our official baseball Twitter account (@CanesBaseball) is counting down to the Feb. 14 first pitch. You hear that, guys? The 2014 season starts on Valentine’s Day – make it a “Date Night at the Light.”
Preseason expectations are high once again for Jim Morris’ club, which owns the nation’s longest active postseason streak with 41 consecutive NCAA appearances. The Hurricanes are No. 13 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper annual preseason poll, marking the team’s best preseason ranking from the publication since 2010. Miami returns several key contributors from last season’s team that finished 37-25 and advanced to the NCAA Regional in Louisville. The Canes have not missed the postseason since 1972.
Miami returns its entire starting rotation in 2014, including Louisville Slugger All-American lefthander Bryan Radziewski and USA Baseball Collegiate National Team member Chris Diaz. The duo combined to make 30 starts this past season, and both finished among the top three in the ACC in earned run average.
Both Radziewski (29th round, St. Louis Cardinals) and senior right-hander Javi Salas (38th round, Minnesota Twins) elected to return to Coral Gables after being selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, while freshman All-American David Thompson (.286, six home runs, 46 RBI) will help anchor a Miami lineup that returns seven starters from a year ago.
Joining the returning nucleus is a recruiting class ranked among the best nationwide. The group was rated No. 4 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 6 by Baseball America – its highest ranking from the publication since 2006. The Hurricanes have had two classes ranked among the top 10 by both publications in back-toback seasons.
Preseason events leading up to Opening Day include the annual First Pitch Banquet (Feb. 6) and Old Timers & Alumni Games (Feb. 8).
The 2014 First Pitch Banquet will feature a keynote address from four-time MLB All-Star and three-time World Series champion Mike Lowell. In addition, there will be an auction featuring memorabilia and other Hurricanes merchandise, a presentation by head coach Jim Morris and a multi-course dinner.
Season tickets to Miami’s 2014 season at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field start for as a low as $99, with a Family Plan option (two adult tickets, three youth tickets) covering all 33 home games available for just $199.
For more information, visit www.canestix.com or call the UM ticket office at 305-284-2263.
