By PATRICK WALSH
Gage Ziehl (Penfield) will toe the rubber in Miami’s season opener for the second straight year on Friday against the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Highlanders, the team announced on Tuesday.
Making 16 starts in 2023, the junior right-hander posted a 4.30 ERA and an 8-4 record. In 92 innings, Ziehl punched out 100 batters while issuing 21 walks. The former Penfield Patriot was named to the Golden Spikes Award watchlist and is ranked inside the Top 100 Perfect Game draft board.
In those 16 starts in 2023, Ziehl lasted at least five innings 13 times. Three of those starts saw Ziehl go eight innings, including twice against ACC opponents (NC State and Georgia Tech). His most dominant outing came on May 5 in which he went eight innings, allowing no runs on four hits and punching out 12. A performance that garnered him National Pitcher of the Week honors.
Ziehl also went six innings in the regional opener against Maine on June 5, lasting six innings and striking out seven while giving up an unearned run.
In high school, Ziehl posted a 0.88 ERA in 25 appearances and boasted an 11-6 record. The right-hander fanned 202 batters over 102 innings. His senior year, Ziehl went 5-0 with a 0.17 ERA and 92 strikeouts en route to Penfield’s first sectional title since 2012. He subsequently was named Prep Baseball Report New York State Player of the Year.
Friday’s matchup will mark the first in new head coach J.D. Arteaga’s career after Gino DiMare stepped down following the 2023 campaign.
First pitch between the Miami Hurricanes and NJIT Highlanders is at 7 p.m. on Friday. Coverage is on ACC Network Extra.
Leave a Reply