Miami’s pitching staff is playing like one of the worst in the country right now, and it cost them another game on Saturday. The ‘Canes have allowed 21 runs over two games to a team that was batting .245 heading into this weekend.

Miami allowed a run in all but two innings today. One in each of the first, second, and third, three in the fourth, one in the fifth, and four in the seventh. Despite that the Hurricanes bats battled back to earn a 9-7 lead heading to the bottom of the sixth, but the Hurricanes lost the lead and the game.

Adrian Del Castillo drove the scoring, driving in four in the game and helping to keep Miami within reach. Anthony Vilar and Freddy Zamora both had multi-hit games to help keep the offense going and help Miami stay in the game. Ray Gil, who appeared as a pinch hitter after being removed from the game yesterday with an injury, hit a solo home run as Miami tried to come back in the ninth. Offense was not the issue today.

Every single Miami pitcher, besides Mark Mixon, gave up at least one run today. Combined, Miami allowed 10 walks and 12 hits, while striking out just 5 Panthers. All 11 runs scored by Pitt were earned. Ron Washington Jr. had three hits, all three of which were doubles, and 6 RBI on his own today.

Miami is now 17-10 (4-7 ACC) on the season. This is another bad loss for a team that is looking more and more like they’ll be on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament in a few months. Unless the Hurricanes start stringing wins together against teams they should beat like Pitt it’ll be hard for them to make the NCAA Tournament at all, when many were in hopes of hosting a regional just a few short weeks ago.

The pitching staff was supposed to be the strength of the team, but they’ve struggled for the last several weeks. Miami’s offense is one of the best in the ACC and the country, but it’s impossible to win consistently when more then seven runs score a game for the opposing team.

The Hurricanes have to stop this bad stretch of play and get back to consistency soon. Especially with another game against Pitt tomorrow, a tough mid-week opponent in FAU coming up this week, and talented rival FSU visiting Mark Light Field next weekend.

Game Info

Winning Pitcher: Brady Devereux (1-0, 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)

Losing Pitcher: Jeremy Cook (0-1, 0.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K)

Save: Christian Camacho (1)

(Box Score posted when available)

Next Game

@ Pitt Game 3

Date & Time: Sunday, March 31, 1:00 P.M. Eastern

Hurricanes Starter: Brian Van Belle (3-2, 3.31 ERA)

Pittsburgh Starter: Not announced, was originally Camacho but he’s unavailable.

Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM

Television: ACC Network Extra