The Miami Hurricanes are headed to the NCAA Super Regionals after pulling off a tense, emotionally charged 5-4 victory over Southern Mississippi in the Regional Final at Mark Light Field. In front of a boisterous home crowd, the Hurricanes dug deep, rallied from behind, and delivered the kind of resilient performance that defines postseason college baseball. For Miami, this was more than just a win—it was a statement of belief, grit, and timely execution, and it extended their season into the next phase of the NCAA Tournament.
From the moment the game began, there was an electric buzz in the air. With both teams knowing what was at stake, every pitch, every swing, every defensive play carried massive weight. Southern Miss, fresh off an elimination game win that forced the Monday night showdown, showed no fear. The Golden Eagles jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the second inning after Miami starter Gage Ziehl gave up back-to-back singles and a costly error allowed a run to cross. The inning continued with a sacrifice fly that made it 2-0, giving Southern Miss an early cushion and silencing the Miami faithful.
But the Hurricanes were far from rattled. They responded in the bottom half of the same inning with clutch two-out hitting, a hallmark of championship-level teams. After catcher Carlos Perez roped a double into the left-field corner, freshman Michael Torres stepped up and delivered. His opposite-field single drove in two runs and tied the game, instantly swinging the momentum back to the home side. Torres, who had struggled at times during the regular season, picked the perfect moment to showcase his poise and ability under pressure.
The next few innings were a tense back-and-forth battle. Both teams stranded runners in scoring position and were forced to work out of jams. Miami’s Edgardo Villegas sent the crowd into a frenzy in the bottom of the fourth when he launched a solo home run to right field, a majestic shot that gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead. As he rounded the bases, his teammates poured out of the dugout in celebration. The home run was not only a big offensive moment—it was a turning point in the atmosphere of the game.
Southern Miss, however, was not finished. They showed their fight in the top of the sixth inning, when Slade Wilks stepped to the plate with one on and one out. He turned on a fastball and sent it soaring into the left field bleachers, a two-run bomb that once again flipped the lead, this time 4-3 in favor of the Golden Eagles. For the second time, Miami was trailing in a win-or-go-home environment. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, and the tension was mounting.
What followed was a showcase of resilience from Miami. Rather than panic or press, they stayed patient, trusted their game plan, and chipped away. In the bottom of the seventh, with the game hanging in the balance, the Hurricanes mounted their most crucial rally. A leadoff walk by Dorian Gonzalez Jr. set the tone. After a bunt single from Dominic Pitelli, the Hurricanes had two runners aboard and a chance to shift the game’s narrative again. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, and the stage was set for a potentially game-changing at-bat.
Designated hitter Zach Levenson, who had been quiet earlier in the night, worked a disciplined at-bat and earned a full-count walk to load the bases. That brought up first baseman CJ Kayfus, one of the team’s most reliable bats. Kayfus didn’t try to do too much—he simply put the ball in play. His slow chopper toward the right side caused immediate confusion. The first baseman and second baseman both went for the ball and collided, causing the ball to deflect off a glove. Two runs scored on the play—one on the infield single and another on the ensuing throwing error. Just like that, Miami was back in the lead, 5-4, and the crowd erupted in celebration.
With six outs to go and a one-run lead, head coach J.D. Arteaga turned to his bullpen. After using closer Andrew Walters conservatively during the regular season to keep him fresh, this was the moment Walters had been saved for. Walters, a veteran presence with postseason experience and a blazing fastball, entered in the top of the eighth and immediately imposed his will. He struck out two and induced a routine fly ball to end the frame with minimal stress.
Miami came up empty in the bottom of the eighth, setting up a dramatic ninth inning. With three outs separating the Hurricanes from a Super Regional berth, Walters took the mound again, this time with the pressure at its peak. Southern Miss was not going to go quietly. A leadoff single put the tying run on base, and Miami fans held their breath. But Walters remained composed, mixing his fastball and slider to keep hitters guessing. A flyout, a strikeout, and finally a slow roller to second base sealed the deal. As Kayfus squeezed the final out at first, the Hurricanes mobbed Walters on the mound in a sea of white jerseys and raw emotion.
