Maine Black Bears confident heading into matchup again Miami: “We have nothing to lose; we’re here to play”

Miami Hurricanes looking for redemption heading into NCAA Tournament

For the first time since 2011, the Maine Black Bears have reached the NCAA Tournament and have a date with the Miami Hurricanes at Mark Light Field Friday evening in the Coral Gables Regional.

With their first postseason appearance in over a decade, Maine head coach Nick Derba and his Black Bears squad are heading into the matchup with an open mindset and are ready to turn some heads.

“We have nothing to lose; we’re here to play,” Derba said. “One thing we have established since day one is that every single game is as important as the last game. There’s no pitch that’s more important than the one coming up next, and I think that’s one thing that these guys have embodied.”

Despite being regarded as the underdog heading into the matchup against the Hurricanes on UM’s home diamond, Derba is excited to play in the hostile environment and believes his team is up for the challenge.

“It’s exciting,” Derba said. “I don’t think there are really any challenges; we’re going to go out and play, and we’re going to play our game. These guys get a chance to play in front of a nice crowd again. This is a great experience for them, and this is a life-changing experience. So let’s have at it; the more fans, the merrier.”

Derba’s team has also adopted the same approach coming into the game against Miami, as Maine first baseman and American East Conference Player of the Year Jeremiah Jenkins expressed the same confidence and excitement with playing on the road as his head coach.

“It’s definitely going to be fun,” Jenkins said. “I know the crowd is going to be energetic. I’m looking at it from the positive side. I’m just excited to get out there to play and have a good time. Don’t put too much pressure on myself, really.”

This season, Jenkins was a force for the Black Bears, batting .378 with a team-high 20 homers. Along with Jenkins, Maine infielder Quinn McDaniel has had success at the plate, batting .355 with 13 homers, which will be something the Hurricanes will look to keep to a minimum during the contest.

“I think it comes down to just staying in the zone,” McDaniel said of Maine’s home run hitting ability. “Finding pitches we like and just taking advantage of mistakes.”

Although the Black Bears are confident heading into tonight’s contest against the Hurricanes, Derba and his squad understand the challenge ahead that is facing Miami, but they are ready to show the country why they belong in the NCAA Tournament.

“They’re No. 9 for a reason; they do the little things right,” Derba said. “They’re extremely talented; they can pitch it, and they’ve got some very strong bats. They’re No. 9, what else can you say about that.”

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