Yesterday Cuban talent was strongly felt, the Miami Hurricanes beat the FIU Panthers 7-3 at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. The player of the game was Daniel Cuvet, who, with the game tied in the sixth inning, stood at the plate with the bases loaded and stroked a grand slam that ended up being the game-winning hit.
Cuvet, a Cuban-American who is a native of Fort Lauderdale, took his time to win the duel against FIU pitcher Tracen Cameron. Eight pitches later, he hit a curveball at 81.1 mph and sent it traveling 368 feet over the left field wall and into the Hurricanes bullpen.
The hit came off his bat with an impressive speed of 111.7 mph, making it clear why he is considered one of the most dangerous hitters in college baseball. The Hurricanes started the game with a three-run barrage in the second inning. With two outs, Bobby Marsh and Tanner Smith drew consecutive walks before Todd Hudson, Fabio Peralta and Michael Torres responded with RBI singles to lead off the scoring on the evening.
Michael Torres, born in Miami to Cuban parents, was one of the key pieces in the Hurricanes’ offense on the evening during the third inning, with a sacrifice fly to center field. In the bottom of that inning he unleashed a 98.1 mph throw to the plate that came close to getting the out, although the runner it was a closw play.
Then, in the fifth inning, with FIU threatening to take the lead, Torres exhibited his cannon of an arm by launching a 99.1 mph throw home to nail the runner trying to score the tiebreaking run. A spectacular play that maintained the tie at that moment in the game.
For his part, Fabio Peralta, born in Havana, continues to gain prominence with the Hurricanes. With an imposing physique standing 6’2″ and 185 pounds, he has just stood out at Miami Christian Highschool, where he was captain last year. His talent did not go unnoticed and in 2024 he was chosen for the All-Dade team, establishing himself as one of the great promises in college baseball.
On the mound, Alex Giroux earned his second win of the season with six solid innings in which he allowed five hits and three runs, while striking out four batters. The bullpen took care of the rest, with outstanding performances from Lazaro Collera, Anthony Ciscar and Jackson Cleveland.
Collera, another talent with Cuban roots, showed off an impressive arsenal with a fastball that reached 96 mph, a 95 mph sinker, an 83 mph slider and an 82 mph curveball. In his relief, he threw 19 pitches, 11 of them strikes, showing that he has the material to become a reliable arm. Anthony Ciscar, also of Cuban descent, pitched a hitless, scoreless inning, pitching with authority and unleashing fastballs over 95 mph. His work in the relief was key to closing the door on FIU’s offense.
Beyond the names that shone in the game, the Hurricanes have an important core of players with Cuban roots. Dorian González Jr. started at second base and, although he did not have his best offensive night, he is still a key player in the lineup. He is joined by other names who are part of the roster but did not see action in this match, such as Gaby Gutiérrez, Brandon De Goti and Ethan Puig, all with Cuban blood and with the potential to contribute in the next game.
Leading the team, JD Arteaga, son of Cuban parents and a Hurricanes legend, continues to leave his mark on the University of Miami baseball program. Arteaga, who played in the 90s and has dedicated more than two decades to the institution, has managed to maintain the Cuban legacy in Coral Gables.
The victory left the Hurricanes with a 10-3 record on the season and they now prepare for their next game against Villanova at Mark Light Field. Meanwhile, FIU, which fell to 11-3, will try to bounce back in its next games. What became clear in this duel is that college baseball continues to be a platform where Cuban talent shines with its own light, and the Miami Hurricanes continues to be instrument for the platform.