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Griffin Hugus's Complete Game Sends Miami to First Regional Final Since 2019

The Miami Hurricanes dominate the Columbia Lions in a familiar old-school fashion and head to their first regional finals since 2019.
Justice Sandle|
Miami Hurricanes pitcher Griffin Hugus throwing a complete game in the 2025 Hattiesburg Regional against Columbia
Miami Hurricanes pitcher Griffin Hugus throwing a complete game in the 2025 Hattiesburg Regional against Columbia | Miami Hurricanes Athletics

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — The Miami Hurricanes look like the powerhouse of old and are headed back to another Regional final. This is J.D. Arteaga's first appearance in the playoffs, but he continues to show a level head as the Canes stare destiny in the face. 

"It’s a big win," Arteaga said. "Obviously, the winner's bracket game puts you in a good position, especially when it comes to your pitching, you know. When this game is in a good place, pitching-wise, if it goes out and gives you nine innings, or you can use anybody in the bullpen, it’s even better."

The Hurricanes dominated from the opening inning as they cruised to a victory against Columbia 14-1. 

It started in the first inning with the Hurricanes going through the first five of their lineup, each getting a hit. Jake Ogden and Max Galvin found themselves on base, and Golden Spikes semifinalist Daniel Cuvet walked to the plate and laced a ball down the third base line to bring in two, adding to his ACC-leading RBI numbers. 

The offense continued to roar. Dorian Gonzalez Jr. found himself in a great situation tonight against the Lions. He finished the game 3-4 at the plate with eight runs batted in, highlighted by a monster swing in the fourth and in the seventh.

In the fourth he sends a ball out to deep right field for his ninth home run of year to bring in three runs but he wanted more.

He followed that up with another massive at-bat. The Lions walked Cuvet in a shocking move, but that didn't faze the senior; it only lit a fire. He smashed a grand slam to shut the door on the Lions, who barely had their tail in the door.

"It definitely lights a fire under me [when asked about Cuvet getting walked before him], but, you know, at the same time, I have to go up there with my same approach and stay calm and stay, compose and stick to the game plan," Gonzalez Jr. said.

Even with the massive offensive might, the Hurricanes' ace was game. Griffin Hugus allowed a lot of hits but only gave up one run (a fourth inning homer) the whole game. Hugus struggled early on but found his groove after giving up the homer. 

"Coach JD, along with our other coaches, has been pretty transparent all year with me," Hugus said. "There was gonna be a point in a year where they wanted me to go long, and they were gonna give me an opportunity. I was happy that he let me keep going out there. Today, it was nine innings, some days it’s four innings, but that was just my mentality going into today.”

The second team All-ACC pitcher finished the game, throwing nine innings, allowing eight hits, one earned run, eight strikeouts, throwing 115 total pitches. He showed why he is the Canes' Ace.

"He’s had games, and again, having to explain where he’s got, you know, 85 or 90 pitches, but they’re high-stress pitches," Arteaga said on Hugus's performance. "The one run they gave up was a first-pitch pass, but it was the first pitch of the inning. They just got jumped on and hit in the ballpark. But for the most part, you know, we had a couple of plays, at least some good defensive plays. There weren’t too many high-stress innings. That plays a big factor – It’s how much stress is behind the pitch that he’s throwing, and he was comfortable."

The Hurricanes will now play their first Regional Final since 2019. The Canes lost a dog fight in the Starkville Regional, losing to the Mississippi State Bulldogs 5-3. Don’t look too far ahead because the Canes still have a ways to go, but this is a positive sign for the future of the Hurricanes baseball program. 

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Justice Sandle
JUSTICE SANDLE

Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.

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