Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
’Canes are ranked No. 1 in new poll
2nd season earning top spot after opening weekend
The Miami Hurricanes beat the best, and now, they are the best — at least according to one college baseball poll.
Miami, after taking two of three in an opening-weekend series from the previously top-ranked Florida Gators, is now ranked No. 1 nationally by Collegiate Baseball.
Baseball America also released its latest rankings on Monday and listed the Hurricanes No. 3, with Ole Miss and ACC foe Virginia ahead of UM.
Going into the season, Miami had an array of rankings that ranged from No. 6 to No. 21 in various polls. The highest preseason ranking of No. 6 was given to the Hurricanes by Collegiate Baseball, which now has Florida at No. 3, dropping two spots.
Other rankings yet to be updated after the opening weekend include the USA Today Coaches Poll, the NCBWA poll, Perfect Game and D1Baseball.com.
It’s the second consecutive season where the Hurricanes earned a No. 1 ranking after an opening weekend.
Last year, in a 2020 season cut short due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, UM reached the top spot in the D1Baseball rankings following a sweep of Rutgers.
With the 8-6 win over UF on Sunday, Miami took a series from the in-state rival Gators for the first time since 2014 and won a series in Gainesville for the first time since 2009. The Hurricanes entered the weekend losing 16 of their previous 20 meetings with Florida and 33 of 41.
UM outfielder Christian Del Castillo was named ACC Co-Player of the Week, along with Louisville’s Cameron Masterman, after he hit .333 and drove in six runs in the three-game road series.
The Hurricanes open ACC play on Friday by hosting Virginia Tech in their home opener, a 7 p.m. first pitch at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.