Miami (Florida)
Team Capsule
Posted: Thursday May 28, 1998 06:29 PM
Coach: Jim Morris (5th year)
Nickname: Hurricanes
Record and conference finish: 50-10, Independent
NCAA Tournament Region and Seed: Atlantic I, 1st
Total NCAA appearances: 26
NCAA Tournament Record: 111-57
College World Series Appearances: 17
CWS Record: 34-28
Last CWS Appearance: 1997, beat UCLA, 7-3; beat Alabama, 6-1;
lost to Alabama, 8-6; lost to Alabama, 8-2
Top Finish: 1st (1982, 1985)
Probable Starting Lineup
------------------------
C -- Russ Jacobson (.308, 8 HR, 35 RBI)
1B -- Rick Saggese (.235, 4, 29)
2B -- Manny Crespo (.361, 16, 62)
3B -- Aubrey Huff (.414, 20, 93)
SS -- Bobby Hill (.413, 12, 58)
LF -- German Alvarez (.348, 15, 50)
CF -- Brian Seever (.331, 6, 20)
RF -- Jason Michaels (.384, 19, 65)
DH -- Pat Burrell (.431, 16, 44)
SP -- Alex Santos (14-1, 2.74 ERA)
SP -- Darryl Rogue (13-2, 4.33)
SP -- David Gil (3-2, 3.82)
RP -- Robbie Morrison (11 saves, 3.72)
Outlook: The Hurricanes return to Omaha for the sixth time this
decade still looking for their first national title since 1985.
They came within one out in 1996 until Robbie Morrison
surrendered a two-run homer to LSU's Warren Morris with two outs
in the bottom of the ninth. Despite the second seed,
Miami may enter the weekend as the favorite after the return of
junior 3B/DH Scott Burrell. Burrell, who led the nation in
hitting during his freshman season of 1996, missed 28 games
with a back injury but hit two homers his first game back
against Bowling Green on Thursday. He played in 32 games this
season, hitting .431 with 16 homers and 44 RBI. The Hurricanes
have arguably the best 3-4-5 hitters in the nation in right
fielder Jason Michaels (.384, 19 HR, 65 RBI), Burrell, the most
outstanding player of the '96 Series, and third baseman Aubrey
Huff (.414, 20, 93). Their combined slugging percentage is
.812. For the first time in school history, Miami has six
players with 10 or more homers. The Hurricanes have scored 629
runs this season, which ranks as the third-highest total in
school history. The pitching staff is led by RH Alex
Santos, who went 14-1 with an outstanding 2.74 ERA. He struck
out 134 and walked 27 in 102 innings. Santos tied a school
record earlier in the season with eight consecutive strikeouts
on February 8th against Florida. The right-hnaded Morrison,
still trying live down that pitch from two seasons ago, compiled
11 saves while striking out 63 in 38 2/3 innings over 35
appearances.
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