The Miami Hurricanes are headed back to the NCAA Super Regionals, and with that, a program rich in tradition and postseason glory takes another proud step toward regaining its elite form. The Canes punched their ticket after a dramatic and dominant weekend at the Coral Gables Regional, where they swept through the bracket with a mix of clutch hitting, stellar pitching, and unshakable belief in one another.
For a team that had spent much of the season quietly climbing the rankings without drawing the national headlines afforded to some of their SEC and Pac-12 counterparts, this run to the Super Regionals feels like a statement. It’s not just a return to relevance—it’s a return to the standard. Miami is playing like a team with unfinished business, and as they prepare for the next stage of the NCAA Tournament, the Hurricanes seem fueled by a deeper motivation: restoring the swagger that once made them the most feared program in college baseball.
Miami didn’t just survive their Regional. They thrived. From the opening pitch of Game 1 to the final out of the Regional final, the Hurricanes looked like a team peaking at the right time. A confident, balanced roster led by both seasoned veterans and fearless underclassmen powered its way past every opponent that stood in its path. Pitchers attacked the strike zone with aggression and precision, while hitters showed discipline, power, and timely execution that often left the opposing dugout stunned.
Their opening game set the tone. Miami faced a scrappy, underdog opponent hungry to make a name for itself, but it quickly became clear the Hurricanes weren’t interested in entertaining Cinderella stories. A masterful start from ace pitcher Carson Montgomery gave the Canes early breathing room, and the offense responded with a barrage of runs in the middle innings, silencing the visitors and sending an early message to the rest of the bracket: this was Miami’s Regional to lose.
Game 2 was the true test, pitting Miami against a nationally respected foe with a powerful lineup and deep bullpen. For nine innings, the Hurricanes and their opponent went blow for blow, trading leads and momentum. But it was in the bottom of the eighth, with the game tied and the pressure mounting, that Miami’s resilience shined brightest. Junior outfielder Blake Cyr stepped to the plate with two on and two out and delivered what might be the swing of the season—a towering three-run home run that sent Mark Light Field into a frenzy. The Canes held on in the ninth, securing a dramatic 7-4 victory that all but guaranteed their path to the Super Regional.
When the Regional final arrived, Miami looked loose and confident, as if the pressure had already been absorbed and neutralized. A six-run second inning all but ended the drama, and from that point on, the Hurricanes were in cruise control. Starter Gage Ziehl was brilliant on short rest, showcasing why he’s been the team’s most dependable arm all season. The bullpen slammed the door late, and when the final out was recorded—a routine fly to center—the celebration began. The dogpile on the mound, the fireworks overhead, and the jubilant fans in the stands all told the same story: The U is back in business.
What makes this Miami team so compelling is not just the way they’re winning, but the identity they’ve cultivated over the course of a long, demanding season. They’re gritty, focused, and unafraid of the moment. Head coach J.D. Arteaga, in his second year at the helm, has instilled a mindset of accountability and poise, pushing his players to embrace both the program’s legacy and its future. For Arteaga, a former Miami pitcher and longtime assistant under legends like Jim Morris, the journey to this point is deeply personal. He’s not just coaching the Hurricanes—he’s stewarding their legacy.
“Getting back to the Super Regionals means everything,” Arteaga said after the win. “These kids have worked so hard, and they’ve believed in each other every step of the way. We talked about taking it one game at a time, and they’ve done just that. But we’re not satisfied. The goal is Omaha.”
Indeed, Omaha remains the ultimate prize. For a program with four national championships and 25 College World Series appearances, the bar is always high. Yet in recent years, Miami has struggled to meet its own expectations, falling short in Regionals or failing to qualify entirely. The last Super Regional appearance came in 2022, but that run ended in heartbreak. Now, with a more complete roster and a renewed sense of purpose, the Canes appear better equipped to take the next step.
At the heart of Miami’s success is a core group of players who have matured together over multiple seasons. Infielder Dominic Pitelli has become the emotional leader of the team, bringing steady defense and clutch hitting in key moments. Catcher Carlos Perez has emerged as one of the most dangerous bats in the ACC, combining power with a high baseball IQ that has helped guide the pitching staff through tight games. On the mound, Ziehl and Montgomery have formed a 1-2 punch capable of carrying Miami deep into the tournament. And in the bullpen, closer Andrew Walters remains a lockdown presence, his high-90s fastball overpowering hitters and ending threats before they can start.
The role players have also stepped up in meaningful ways. Freshman outfielder Jacoby Long delivered multiple big hits during the Regional, while sophomore DH Lorenzo Carrier sparked a rally with a pinch-hit homer that turned a tight game into a runaway. Miami’s depth isn’t just a luxury—it’s a weapon, and one that gives them the flexibility to adjust as the stakes rise.
Off the field, the support from the Coral Gables community has been palpable. Attendance throughout the Regional was electric, with long lines forming hours before first pitch and fans packing the stands with a level of intensity more often seen at football games. The atmosphere inside Mark Light Field felt like a time machine to the program’s heyday, when Miami routinely hosted and won Regionals en route to Omaha appearances. There was an unmistakable sense that this wasn’t just a good team—it was a team fans could believe in again.
What comes next won’t be easy. The Super Regionals are filled with powerhouse programs, each capable of ending a dream with a single big inning or one timely swing. But Miami’s path is clear. They’ll likely be facing another top-10 team with elite pitching and battle-tested hitters. That’s what June baseball is all about. The difference now is that Miami no longer seems like an underdog. They look like they belong—because they do.
If the Hurricanes can continue to execute the way they did in the Coral Gables Regional—if they can get six or seven quality innings from their starters, find the gaps on offense, and play clean defense—they have every chance to book a flight to Omaha. And once you’re there, anything can happen.
This run to the Super Regionals is more than just a milestone—it’s a signal that Miami baseball is once again ascending. The swagger, the confidence, the tradition—it’s all coming back into focus. With each game, the Hurricanes are rewriting the narrative and reminding the rest of the country that The U still means business on the diamond.
As the champagne dried and the celebration died down late Sunday night, one thing was clear: the job isn’t finished. The Hurricanes have more to prove, more games to win, and more history to chase. But for now, they can savor the moment—because the Hurricanes are Super once more.
