LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Chris Diaz struck out 10 in seven shutout innings and Garrett Kennedy homered as No. 2 seed Miami cruised past Oklahoma State 7-0 in the first game of the Louisville regional Friday.
The Hurricanes (37-23) were without coach Jim Morris, who did not make the trip to Louisville due to pneumonia. He has been hospitalized in Durham, N.C., since Saturday. Assistant coach Gino DiMare led the team Friday.
Diaz made things pretty easy for DiMare as he pitched out of trouble a few times. The left-handed sophomore loaded the bases in the second and fifth innings, but escaped with inning-ending strikeouts.
Miami took an early lead on Kennedy's solo homer in the bottom of the second, and a four-run fifth was too much for the Cowboys (39-18) to overcome.
Oklahoma State starter Jason Hursh gave up five runs - three earned - and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
