HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Miami exploded for 14 runs on 16 hits to top Columbia in a 14-1 victory Saturday night at Pete Taylor Park, advancing to the NCAA Hattiesburg Regional Final. The Lions will look to stave off elimination tomorrow in a rematch with No. 1 Southern Miss at 3 p.m. ET, with the winner getting another crack at the Hurricanes at 7 p.m.
Anton Lazits provided Columbia's lone run of the game, a solo home run in the top of the fourth, to set a new program record with the 32nd of his career. The senior moves one ahead of Sam Miller and Chandler Bengtson '18CC.
Griffin Palfrey and Cole Fellows each notched two hits for the Lions.
Miami (33-24) jumped ahead early with a four-run first inning and never looked back, tacking on runs in six of their eight offensive frames. Dorian Gonzalez Jr. led the offensive barrage with two home runs and eight RBI, including a grand slam in the seventh that put the game completely out of reach. Max Galvin added three hits, including a solo homer in the sixth.
The Hurricanes were relentless with two outs, scoring 10 of their 14 runs after the second out in an inning.
Columbia (30-18) could not capitalize on its own scoring chances. The Lions went hitless with runners in scoring position (0-for-6) over the first four innings before Miami starter Griffin Hugus locked in, allowing just one baserunner over the final five frames.
Hugus (6-7) went the distance on 123 pitches, allowing just eight hits with nine strikeouts and one walk.
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