Under the bright lights of Mark Light Field in Coral Gables, the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Atlantic Owls renewed a spirited in-state rivalry that has become a staple of South Florida baseball. With both teams jockeying for momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season, this showdown carried more than just bragging rights. It was a litmus test of resilience, execution, and postseason potential.
The Miami Hurricanes entered the matchup with their trademark swagger, riding the highs and lows of a season marked by flashes of brilliance and stretches of inconsistency. A team built on a mix of seasoned veterans and explosive young talent, the Hurricanes were desperate for a signature win to solidify their regional hopes. On the other side, the Florida Atlantic Owls came in with something to prove. Despite being a mid-major, FAU has long thrived on upending the expectations of more prominent programs, and a win against Miami would be a statement in itself.
From the first pitch, it was evident that this game would be a tightly contested affair. Hurricanes ace Gage Ziehl took the mound for Miami, bringing with him a fastball that routinely touched the mid-90s and a demeanor as cold as ice. Ziehl wasted no time setting the tone, striking out two of the first three batters he faced with a devastating slider that left the Owls guessing.
But Florida Atlantic was not rattled. Their approach at the plate was patient, calculated, and grounded in fundamentals. In the top of the second inning, the Owls strung together a pair of singles before capitalizing on a fielding error by Miami’s shortstop to plate the game’s first run. It was a classic FAU frame—gritty, opportunistic, and effective.
Miami responded in the bottom half with a small-ball approach of their own. After a leadoff walk and a well-executed bunt single, the Hurricanes utilized a sacrifice fly to tie the game. What followed was a chess match between two dugouts intent on outmaneuvering each other. Pitching changes, defensive shifts, and aggressive base running turned a midweek matchup into a tactical battle reminiscent of postseason baseball.
Perhaps the most compelling storyline of the night was the battle between Miami’s lineup and FAU’s pitching depth. The Owls don’t possess an overpowering rotation, but what they lack in sheer velocity they make up for in variety and command. Starter Hunter Cooley, a left-hander with a deceptive changeup, frustrated the Hurricanes through four innings, scattering just three hits while keeping Miami’s power bats at bay. His ability to change speeds and move the ball to all quadrants of the strike zone kept the Hurricanes off balance and guessing.
Offensively, FAU’s depth continued to shine. Designated hitter Nolan Schanuel, one of the most consistent bats in the lineup, delivered a towering double in the fourth inning that scored two and gave the Owls a 3-1 lead. The hit silenced the Miami crowd and briefly shifted momentum toward the visitors.
But as has so often been the case throughout the Hurricanes’ season, the heart of the order came alive when it mattered most. In the bottom of the sixth, trailing by two, Miami’s third baseman Yohandy Morales crushed a two-run home run to straightaway center that not only tied the game but reignited the home faithful. Morales, a projected early-round MLB Draft pick, showcased why scouts are enamored with his blend of power and plate discipline. The blast traveled over 400 feet and marked a turning point in the contest.
With the score knotted at three, both teams turned to their bullpens to navigate the final innings. Miami’s Andrew Walters, one of the most dominant closers in the nation, entered in the eighth to a thunderous ovation. Walters, known for his lethal combination of a high-90s fastball and wipeout slider, promptly struck out the side on just 12 pitches, sending a message that Miami was not ready to relinquish control.
The Owls, meanwhile, leaned on reliever CJ Williams, a freshman with moxie beyond his years. Williams worked out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth after Miami loaded the bases with one out. A sharply turned double play ended the threat and kept the game tied, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
In the ninth, FAU managed to scratch across a run thanks to a leadoff walk, a wild pitch, and a clutch single by shortstop Armando Albert. The Owls led 4-3, and the tension inside Mark Light Field was palpable. Miami, however, would not go quietly.
Down to their final three outs, the Hurricanes rallied. A leadoff double by sophomore outfielder Dorian Gonzalez Jr. put the tying run in scoring position. After a sacrifice bunt moved him to third, Miami’s cleanup hitter Zach Levenson stepped to the plate. Levenson, who had been hitless on the night, worked a full count before lacing a single into left field to even the score once more.
The game moved into extra innings with both teams battling exhaustion and adrenaline. Defensive miscues and control issues began to creep in as the 10th and 11th innings played out scoreless. Finally, in the bottom of the 12th, Miami delivered the knockout punch.
A leadoff single by Carlos Perez was followed by a walk, setting the stage for freshman slugger Blake Cyr. With two outs and runners on the corners, Cyr jumped on a hanging breaking ball and sent a towering shot into the night. It didn’t leave the park, but it bounced off the wall in right-center, allowing Perez to score the walk-off run and giving the Hurricanes a hard-fought 5-4 victory.
The win was a microcosm of Miami’s season—uneven at times, but fueled by resilience and timely contributions. For Florida Atlantic, the loss was gut-wrenching but not without positives. The Owls showed they could hang with one of the ACC’s storied programs, and the experience could prove invaluable as they eye a conference title and potential regional berth.
Both coaches had high praise for their squads after the marathon contest. Miami head coach J.D. Arteaga applauded his team’s grit, particularly the way they responded after falling behind. “This group doesn’t fold,” he said. “We’ve got guys who love the moment, and tonight was one of those games that builds character.”
FAU skipper John McCormack, despite the loss, was proud of his team’s performance. “We came into a hostile environment and played toe-to-toe with a top-tier program. That’s a credit to our guys,” he said. “We’ve got a long season ahead, and if we compete like this, we’ll be where we want to be.”
Beyond the scoreboard, the game highlighted the depth of talent across Florida’s college baseball landscape. It also reinforced the idea that midweek games, often seen as opportunities for teams to tinker with lineups or rest arms, can deliver unforgettable drama.
The rivalry between Miami and FAU may not have the historical weight of others in college baseball, but it continues to grow in intensity with each passing season. For fans, it’s a reminder that great baseball can be found outside of the major weekend series, in matchups fueled by regional pride and the desire to prove something—whether it’s a Power Five team defending its turf or a mid-major swinging for national respect.
As the Hurricanes celebrate a dramatic win and the Owls regroup with eyes on the next challenge, both programs walk away from this game stronger. And if the baseball gods allow, perhaps they’ll meet again in June—with even more at stake.