Maybe the third time will be the charm.
The Miami Hurricanes (36-21) learned Monday afternoon they'll have to get through the Florida Gators (45-16) if they're going to earn their first trip to Omaha since 2008.
Second-seeded UM was placed in the Gainesville Regional and will open NCAA Tournament play at noon Friday against third-seeded Jacksonville (36-22). The double elimination tournament also features fourth-seeded Manhattan (34-17). The Gators, ranked No. 1 in the final Baseball America poll, are seeded second overall in the 64-team tournament behind Virginia. All games at the Gainesville regional will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
The Hurricanes, who are making a record 39th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance (but have only hosted a regional twice in the last six years), have been eliminated by Florida each of the past two seasons. Last year, UF knocked UM off in the Super Regional. In 2009, the Gators eliminated UM in the regional round. Earlier this season, UM was swept in Gainesville by scores of 8-3, 1-0 and 5-3. The Gators have won nine of the last 10 meetings overall.
UM, ranked 16th by Baseball America, is 79-19 all-time against Jacksonville and has won eight in a row in the series dating back to 2004. The Dolphins finished second in the Atlantic Sun Conference with a 19-11 record and was ranked in the top 10 nationally in several offensive categories. The Dolphins’ signature win was an 11-2 victory over No. 2 Florida at McKethan Stadium on May 17, while also going 9-7 against team ranked in the top 60 in RPI
The winner of the Gainesville Regional is scheduled to meet the winner of the Georgia Tech Regional. The Yellow Jackets (49-19) are the top seed and are joined by second-seeded Southern Miss (39-17), third-seeded Mississippi State (34-23) and fourth-seeded Austin Peay (33-22). The Canes were swept by Georgia Tech at home back in late March.
Miami matches really good against the gators. It's going to be all about pitching, and timely hitting. Both teams have excellent pitching. Miami at times can get really hot. DeVoss will be the key in this game. Coaching wise it will have to go to Miami with Jim Morris with more experience, and he will pull a few tricks in this series. Jacksonville won't be a cup cake either. I think Miami can take them though.
Posted by: norm | May 30, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Congrats FIU, going to the NC Regional, good luck.
Posted by: gatorsam | May 30, 2011 at 03:02 PM
Norm, Miami doesn't match up at all against UF.
"Earlier this season, UM was swept in Gainesville by scores of 8-3, 1-0 and 5-3. The Gators have won nine of the last 10 meetings overall."
Posted by: Cane-One | May 30, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I agree the gaturds will destroy UM. I hate to say it, but this with lame a55 coach, we couldnt beat FAU. How do you think we'll beat UF at UF?
Fie Morris dot com
Posted by: fir -emorris | May 30, 2011 at 04:53 PM
UM's pitching will keep them in every game...but this team is full of freshmen and sophomores...at the very least, it will be a great learning experience for the young Canes...and, two of the three losses to UF were VERY close games.
So, we'll see...anything can happen...GO CANES!!
Posted by: UMike | May 30, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Yeah, UMike, and next year their excuse will be that they are sophomores. And the nest year they have injuries. And next yr, their excuse will be that the juniors turned pros. Meanwhile UF and FSU keep whooping their a55es and Morris keeps collecting a check.
pathetic!
Posted by: fir -emorris | May 30, 2011 at 05:08 PM
U come and get Ur annual end of the season beating ...
Posted by: Soldy... The Real One | May 30, 2011 at 05:34 PM
Hay fir -emorris learn to spell, Fire a coach who has 2 National Championships brilliant observation on your part. Last time I checked Gayterds have how many. It will be that much sweeter when Canes send them packing.
Posted by: CooperstownCane | May 30, 2011 at 05:36 PM
cooperstown- Coker had a national ch. Two if you are technical. Next yr he finished 5th in the country. The following yr he beat both FSU and UF (UF in the peach bowl). Didnt finish higher than 13 because UF was only ranked 19.
Fired 2 yrs later
Here I will spell it out for you in table form (for simple minds):
Coker:
2001- NC
2002- 2nd
2003- 5th
2004- Beat UF, FSU
2005- Loses to LSU
2006- Wins the PC Bowl
Fired
Morris:
2001- Wins NC
2002- 2010. NOTHING
Still coach.
What is the difference? Morris has gotten a long pass these few yrs. Face the facts. Face reality.
Stop being an apologist. Its pathetic. Don't you give a d--mn about UM baseball???
Posted by: fire morris | May 30, 2011 at 06:57 PM
Ok so fire Morris who would you like in your perfect world of UM Baseball. Since your a stat man, FSU Mike Martin 31 yrs 13 College World series appearances and no that would be 0 National Championships.Maybe the Semiholes should fire him also. Gators had 5 coaches in 20 yrs. and 0 National Championships. I guess if Ron Fraser were there you would want to fire him also. I am not a apologist or pathetic it is you who is pathetic my friend . Go root for those LOSERS they need you.
Posted by: CooperstownCane | May 30, 2011 at 08:38 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
GINO DIMARE !!!
Posted by: Bring Back # 6 | May 31, 2011 at 12:31 AM
sure. You proved my argument. What ha MArtin brought to FSU baseball other than being a perennial cinderella (if that)?
So Morris was a good coach. And a nice guy.
Keep him then. Say goodbye to ever sniffing an NCAA ch trophy ever again. Ok have it your way.
Posted by: fire morris | May 31, 2011 at 06:29 AM
You came up with nobody still lets get rid of him glad you are not the AD at the U. Good luck in life with that attitude. Goodbye
Posted by: CooperstownCane | May 31, 2011 at 07:45 AM
Looks like OSU played ineligible players since 2002. Does this mean we get that 2002 trophy? Our 6th 'ship?
I'm just sayin'!!!
GO CANES!!!
Posted by: 360cane | May 31, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Posted by: UFelony at Trailerville | May 31, 2011 at 07:45 AM
What ? No false swag talk about how the Canes will be heading to Omaha U dope ? Any of U delusional clUcks ?
Ahhhh, maybe Ur all starting to see reality for what it truly is... Congrats, Ur learning.
Posted by: 3 Straight Years And Ur OUT ! | May 31, 2011 at 12:28 PM
It's not a question of whether Morris is a good or bad coach or has lost the ability to win big games, which that seems to be the case the last couple of years, it's just plain time to get some fresh blood at the helm. The biggest problem the last couple of years is the defense or lack there-of. Errors have snke bit this team the last couple of years and the bats have been hit or miss. How does Virginia get more talent than us? It's not like they can play year round baseball like the Florida schools can. We have become to stagnet and with that will be another early summer.
Posted by: Herbieibis | May 31, 2011 at 01:11 PM
thats right, Herbie, but it hasnt been the last couple of yrs. Morris' teams have underachieved
for the last 6-8 yrs
Posted by: My beloved U | May 31, 2011 at 04:20 PM
How does Virginia get more talent than us? It's not like they can play year round baseball like the Florida schools can. We have become to stagnet and with that will be another early summer.
Posted by: Herbieibis | May 31, 2011 at 01:11 PM
All top Baseball programs (some High Schools as well) north of the Mason Dixon Line have Field Houses the size of Blimp Hangers with full practice facilities and are able to practice as much if not more than the Southern based teams. It might be an advantage than having to train outside in 90 plus temps 9 months out of the year.
You'd be surprised at the amount of baseball talent that comes from up north.
Posted by: Micheal B. | May 31, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Also I have to respectfully disagrre about bringing in fresh blood to head the program. It's a know fact within the prep coaching circles in S. Fla. and abroad that Miami is missing the one person that brought in ALL that TOP talent for years up until a few years ago. Then he left after getting tired of being passed over time and time again as Morris sat status quo riding his talent pool from the 90's through 2008 that he brought in year after year . And his name is...
GINO DIMARE
Posted by: Micheal B. | May 31, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Donna Shalala has turned UM athletics into a joke..kirby holcutt..Al Golden..now the Unknowns from Wisconsin...followed by an Restless basketball coach!!..thanks Donna..
Posted by: DONNA LISTEN UP!! | June 01, 2011 at 01:18 PM
I guess if Ron Fraser were there you would want to fire him also.
Posted by: Graduate Diploma in Athletic Performance | December 15, 2011 at 12:43 AM
It's not like they can play year round baseball like the Florida schools can.
Posted by: Heating and Cooling IN | December 23, 2011 at 12:30 AM