Oxford: Miami Down but Not Out?

By Doug Kroll - June 11, 2006

The Miami Hurricanes throughout the 2006 season could have basically adopted the slogan of "bouncing back" as the team's philosophy. Several times this season, the young squad lost real tough games and came back the next day to win. At rival Florida State this year, after winning game one, Miami lost 16-1 on Saturday. They then came back to win on Sunday in a very hostile enviornment 7-5 to take the series two games to one. Then on the road at NC State, after losing the opening game 9-2, in a very sloppy game, Miami came out to win the next two to take that series as well. So not only has Miami come back before after tough losses, they have done it on the road, which of course they are in the position this time around here in Oxford, MS.

After the game, the team was in surprisingly high spirits as I got a bite to eat across the street from the hotel. Most of the players were eating with their families that made the trip, which is exactly what Hurricanes fans should hope they would be doing after such a devastating loss. But I think the fact they lost without playing sloppy ball has to keep their heads high. If they had gone out and committed 5 errors and lost in that fashion, then there would be reason to sulk, but this is college baseball and teams bats come alive.

Being a visitor to Swayze field for the first time, I was amazed. It was so loud at times, doing the game on the radio was an unbelievable experience. My tape is going to sound like I did the game at a Yankee Stadium during a World Series game. The announced crowd was over 9,200 but I think if you include those on the grassy hills beyond the outfield fence, there had to be more. It was truly amazing and I will never forget game 1 of the super regionals here.

Tomorrow I would have to think that Miami will throw lefty Manny Miguelez, but we shall see. Miami has its backs against the wall and for the first time, we will see the youngsters play in a "there's no tomorrow" atmosphere. I can't even imagine the crowd tomorrow after being tremendous tonight, I really feel they had something to do with the eight unanswered runs scored by Ole Miss to win the game. With a chance to go to the CWS for the first time since 1972, and after last year's tough two losses to Texas in the home super regional after winning the first game, you would have to think the crowd is going to be louder and even more into it tomorrow, if that's possible. Truly amazing, every college baseball game should be like that, I am proud to be a college baseball fan after that game. Until tomorrow, gotta love college baseball...

Doug