UCF edges Hurricanes for Arteaga’s first loss as coach
The excitement of last weekend’s start of the J.D. Arteaga era was tempered Wednesday night by the reality of another milestone for the Miami Hurricanes’ first-year coach: a loss.
The University of Central Florida, who also have a new coach in Rich Wallace and new conference in the Big 12 (from their previous American Athletic Conference), mounted a 3-run fourth inning to take the lead they held until the end for a 4-3 victory and 2-0 record.
The Canes (3-1), with seven hits, had runners on first and third in the ninth before Daniel Cuvet hit into a double play to end the game.
“It’s going to be a season of a lot of firsts, right?” Arteaga said.
“First victory on Friday night and first loss tonight. I don’t think anyone expected to go 56-0. So, no surprise. It was going to happen at some point. We played hard to the very end.”
UM’s right-handed, fifth-year senior starter Ben Chestnutt (7-0, 5.71 ERA in 2023) got the first loss of his Miami career by allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks in 3 2⁄3 innings. He was replaced by Myles Caba with two outs and runners on first and second in the fourth. Caba’s first pitch was wild, scoring designated hitter Andrew Sundean (infield single) to make it 3-2.
Caba then walked pinchhitter Matt Cedarburg to load the bases. Matt Prevesk singled down the left-field line to score two for the 4-3 UCF lead.
UM loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth but stranded all three runners when Lucas Costello lined out to center against reliever Najer Victor.
UM used four pitchers, including freshman Jordan Vargas, who made his collegiate debut by allowing only one hit and one walk in four innings. He struck out three.
Arteaga said he liked the way Vargas “attacked the strike zone.”
“He’s a ground-ball guy and historically I’m a fan of ground-ball guys,” the coach said. “You’re always one pitch away from getting out of a jam. To come out the first time in his career, a 1-run game, and keep us there . ... Because of him we had a chance to win that ballgame.”
Added Gonzalez: “We have a great group of guys and we have trust that everything is going to be fine. It’s one loss.”
UM next meets Long Island University at 7 p.m. Friday for the first game of a three-game weekend series.