Bullpen Heroics Lead the Way as Miami Forces Rubber Match Against Duke With Thrilling 5-4 Victory

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When Miami and Duke met under the lights at Mark Light Field on Saturday night, few could have predicted the kind of high-stakes, tightly contested drama that would unfold over nine tense innings. But with both teams entrenched in the thick of ACC play and postseason positioning on the line, game two of the weekend series had everything—momentum swings, clutch hits, defensive gems, and most of all, resilient bullpen dominance.

In a matchup that felt every bit like a playoff preview, the Miami Hurricanes survived an early surge by the Blue Devils and rallied behind a gutsy bullpen performance, ultimately escaping with a 5-4 win that evened the series and set the stage for a pivotal rubber match on Sunday. A crowd of over 3,500 fans packed the stands and witnessed an instant classic that may prove to be a defining moment in Miami’s 2025 campaign.

The night belonged to the Hurricanes’ bullpen, which delivered five scoreless innings of shutdown baseball after starter Gage Ziehl exited following a rocky fourth inning. Behind electric arms, timely defense, and the unshakable composure of closer Andrew Walters, Miami shut the door on a dangerous Duke lineup that had every opportunity to pull away.

Let’s take a closer look at how the Hurricanes clawed their way to a crucial win—and what it means as the postseason looms.

A Shaky Start for Ziehl, and a Blue Devil Blitz

Gage Ziehl has been a consistent presence for the Hurricanes all season, often setting the tone early with his aggressive fastball and bulldog mentality. But Saturday was not his sharpest outing. The junior right-hander found himself in trouble early after giving up a pair of base hits in the second inning, which eventually led to Duke striking first with a two-run double off the bat of Jackson Koon.

In the fourth, Ziehl’s command issues became more pronounced. He issued a leadoff walk to Alex Mooney, and two batters later, Jay Beshears launched a towering two-run homer to left field, pushing the Blue Devils ahead 4-2 and silencing the Miami faithful momentarily.

Cristobal didn’t wait long after that.

“It just wasn’t his night,” head coach J.D. Arteaga said postgame. “We’ve leaned on Gage a lot this season, but tonight, we needed to pivot and get some fresh arms in there. The bullpen answered that call and then some.”

Bullpen Answered the Call—And Then Some

With Ziehl done after just four innings (4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K), Miami turned to sophomore righty Alejandro Torres. From the moment Torres took the mound, the tone of the game shifted. He retired the side in order in the fifth, struck out two in the sixth, and stranded a runner in scoring position in the seventh with a wicked slider that buckled Duke’s cleanup hitter.

Torres’ final line: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

He was the unsung hero of the night—until the ninth, when closer Andrew Walters came in and added the exclamation point.

With Miami clinging to a 5-4 lead, Walters was summoned from the bullpen with the heart of Duke’s order due up. He struck out Mooney on three pitches, induced a weak groundout from Koon, and then froze Beshears on a 98-mph fastball at the knees to record his eighth save of the season.

“It’s a rush,” Walters said with a grin. “You want the ball in that moment. This team has battled all night, so it’s on me to close it down.”

The Turning Point: Gutierrez Delivers in the Clutch

While the bullpen’s effort was the story of the night, it would’ve all been for nothing without the Hurricanes’ clutch hitting. After falling behind 4-2 in the top of the fourth, Miami immediately answered back in the bottom half thanks to the red-hot bat of junior catcher Carlos Perez, who laced an RBI single to left to cut the deficit to one.

An inning later, with runners on second and third and two outs, freshman second baseman Anthony Gutierrez stepped into the box. The crowd buzzed with anticipation as Gutierrez worked a full count. Then, on the seventh pitch of the at-bat, he smoked a line drive into the right-center field gap, scoring both runners and giving Miami a 5-4 lead they would not relinquish.

“Coach told me to stay calm and look for something up,” Gutierrez said. “I just tried to put a good swing on it. Honestly, I didn’t even feel the ball off the bat—I just ran.”

It was a moment that captured the growing confidence of a young player who has begun carving out a permanent role in the lineup. Gutierrez has now hit safely in seven of his last eight games and continues to prove he’s more than just a fill-in.

Defense Saves the Day

Often lost in the shuffle of baseball’s stat sheets is the importance of defense, and Saturday’s game showcased just how vital it can be. In the top of the eighth inning, with a runner on first and one out, Duke’s Michael Rothenberg sent a slicing liner down the right-field line that appeared destined for extra bases. But junior right fielder Zach Levenson made a full-extension dive and snared the ball just inches off the turf, robbing Duke of a potential game-tying double.

“That’s the play of the game right there,” Arteaga said. “If that drops, we’re probably tied or worse. Levenson gave us everything he had.”

Shortstop Dominic Pitelli also chipped in with a spectacular 6-3 double play in the sixth, fielding a sharp grounder deep in the hole and flipping to second in one motion before the relay to first barely beat the runner. It was a highlight that lit up social media and kept the Miami dugout buzzing.

The Stakes: What This Win Means for the Hurricanes

With Saturday’s win, Miami improved to 27-14 on the season and 13-7 in ACC play, keeping them within striking distance of the top spot in the Coastal Division. More importantly, it gave the Hurricanes an opportunity to win yet another ACC series with Sunday’s rubber match looming.

In terms of RPI and NCAA Tournament positioning, every game counts. The ACC is loaded this season, with teams like North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Clemson all making strong postseason pushes. For Miami, winning this series against Duke—who entered the weekend ranked No. 17 nationally—could be the difference between hosting a regional or traveling in June.

“This is what we signed up for,” Pitelli said. “We know the expectations. We know every game is magnified now. You feel it in the dugout—every pitch matters. That’s how you want it.”

Looking Ahead: The Rubber Match

Sunday’s finale promises to be another heavyweight clash, with sophomore Karson Ligon expected to take the hill for Miami. Ligon, who boasts a 3.12 ERA and has been dominant at home, will face a Duke team hungry to bounce back and claim the series.

Miami will likely lean on its bullpen again, with Torres and Walters potentially unavailable after Saturday’s usage. That puts pressure on Ligon to go deep into the game and keep the Blue Devils off balance.

Offensively, Arteaga’s club will look to build on the momentum generated by Gutierrez, Perez, and Levenson, while hoping for more consistency at the top of the order from Jacoby Long and Edgardo Villegas.

The stakes? Only the chance to solidify a top-25 ranking, bolster their resume, and set the tone for the final month of the regular season.

Postgame Notes & Quotes

• Player of the Game: Alejandro Torres – 3 IP of shutout relief, kept the game within reach and earned the win.
• Stat of the Night: Miami pitchers held Duke hitless with runners in scoring position from the fifth inning onward.
• Attendance: 3,526 — the largest home crowd since Opening Weekend.

Coach Arteaga:

“It wasn’t perfect, but that’s the kind of game that builds character. We need to win ugly sometimes. I love how we responded tonight.”

Closer Andrew Walters:

“Every guy down there in that bullpen believes in each other. Doesn’t matter who we call—everyone’s ready.”

Freshman Anthony Gutierrez:

“We needed that win. I was just happy to do my part.”

A Statement Win Born of Grit

Saturday night was not about dominance—it was about determination. The Hurricanes didn’t have their best stuff on the mound early. The offense sputtered at times. And yet, when it mattered most, they found a way.

The bullpen stood tall. The bats came alive in the clutch. The gloves delivered when needed.

It was the kind of game that good teams find a way to win. And if Miami continues to string together performances like this—gritty, gutty, and full of fight—the postseason could very well run through Mark Light Field once again.