RYLY JANE HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, June 8, 2005 7:00 pm
Ryan Braun said a little thing like a six-game losing streak wasn't going to keep the Miami Hurricanes down.
"At Miami, we pride ourselves on being able to play in the postseason. We have a lot of veterans on the team, a lot of quality good leaders, and a lot of playoff experience," said the junior third baseman. "When we came back from our losing streak, we had a good week of practice. We were very focused and understood the significance and importance of heading into the postseason with our minds cleared and getting our confidence back.
"Coming here, we understand it's going to be another quality opponent. We're confident in our abilities as well."
The Canes bounced back from that season-ending streak with three wins in the Coral Gables Regional last weekend and they will be seeking their 22nd College World Series berth this weekend.
"My concern was that I felt we lost our confidence a little bit. When we played Clemson, they played like the '57 Yankees," said Miami coach Jim Morris. "We needed to get our confidence and enthusiasm back. I saw that in the week before the NCAA tournament. It was just a great team effort."
The Canes have counted on that team concept, although Braun and Cesar Carrillo have more than pulled their weight. Braun is first in seven offensive categories on the team average .396, slugging percentage .741, 70 runs scored, 84 hits, 75 runs batted in, 18 home runs, 157 total bases and 10 sacrifice flies and second or third in 12 other categories. Carrillo won 24 straight games over the past two seasons before finally losing against Clemson. He has a 2.22 earned run average and allows opponents a .216 batting average. He is tops on the Hurricanes' staff this year in most categories.
Morris said Braun, who was drafted fifth overall by the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday in the Major League Draft, wasn't exactly a surprise.
"Ryan came in the national player of the year as a freshman, so the day he walked in, he was pretty good," Morris said. "Number one, he swings the bat, he can run, throw and hit and he can hit with power and not many people can do that. He's the fastest guy on our team and he also hits with power, so that's a pretty nice combination there.
"Early in his career, we were thinking that he might be an outfielder. He DH'd some and worked his way into the lineup and once he got in and played shortstop, he played extremely well as a freshman. His sophomore year was tough because he got hurt and missed about half the season. This year he was healthy and played extremely well the whole season."
Braun gave a general description of his attributes.
"I obviously have a pretty well-rounded game. I've hit some home runs, stolen some bases and feel that I've really progressed defensively at third base as the year's gone on," Braun said. "I just feel like I've helped my team win a lot of different games in a lot of different ways."
For Braun, draft day was undoubtedly one of the biggest days in his baseball career, but he matter of factly assessed his reaction.
"It was somewhat of an emotional roller coaster. I could see guys who were extremely excited about where they were drafted and at the same time, there were guys that ended up being disappointed," he said. "It's something that we experienced and were looking forward to, but now we've put it behind us."
To that end, the Canes have steeled themselves for the task facing them this weekend.
"We expect it to be loud. Obviously, we heard that it's going to be sold out and there aren't going to be too many Miami fans here," Braun said. "We've played in an environment like that a few times this year, so we're prepared for it."
Morris said any animosity Nebraskans might feel toward Miami isn't because of the baseball team, which will be facing the Huskers for the first time in the schools' history.
"I think it's because of football. There's no reason for Nebraskans to have any reason to like or dislike the University of Miami. All the roots go back to our football team playing against Nebraska," he said. "I'm sure it's going to be 95 percent red and white when we walk in the ballpark. Nebraska fans are great fans because they root very, very hard for their team, whether it's in baseball or football."
Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.