Miami, FL
Dorian Gonzalez Jr.’s walk-off home run lifts Miami over North Carolina in a thriller, 2-1 – The Miami Hurricane
After an eight-and-a-half-inning pitcher’s duel, Dorian Gonzalez Jr. only took three pitches to end the 1-1 stalemate with a walk-off solo blast over the wall in left-center field, clinching another ACC series victory for the Hurricanes.
After the Miami offense stole the show in game one with a 14-1 win, the opposite was true in game two, as both pitching staffs, led by Miami starter Rafe Schlesinger and UNC starter Jason Decaro, gave complete masterclass performances.
Schlessinger threw 7.0 innings of one-run baseball, with the Tar Heels’ only run coming on an error by third baseman Daniel Cuvet. Decaro threw 6.1 innings of one-run ball, with the ‘Canes lone run coming on a solo shot by Jason Torres.
The only way to describe Schlesinger’s pitching is dominant and gritty. Not only did Schlessinger give up just one run, but he also emptied his tank, delivering an insane 109 pitches while still throwing gas with his pitch count in the 100s.
The key to his success was limiting UNC’s potent top-of-the-lineup. The first four Tar Heel batters combined to go 1-15 off of Miami pitching, including 0-4 and three strikeouts from the potential number one overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, Vance Honeycutt.
After Schlesinger’s night, the UM bullpen took over right where he left off. Brian Walters and Nick Robert both hung clutch zeros on the board in high-leverage innings to allow the Miami offense to win.
The bats struggled in this game compared to last night’s eruption and the previous weekend’s hitting parade but came through when it mattered most.
After being shut out for six innings, Torres gave the team and the fans a spark after he took a significant gamble swinging at a 3-0 fastball, lacing it over the center-field fence and just out of the reach of Honeycutt.
As Robert struck out Honeycutt to end the top half of the ninth, you could feel all the momentum shift into the Hurricane dugout, and it felt as if there was no way Miami was going to lose the game. Gonzalez Jr. then had the swing of the night in what could be a win that the Hurricanes look back on in May as one of their best overall wins of the season.
All this being said, the stage is set for the ‘Canes to get a top-15 series sweep before UM heads out on the road next weekend to Notre Dame for its first away series of the season. A big sweep and some momentum would be massive to bring to South Bend to try and stay unbeaten in the ACC series to begin the season.
Herick Hernandez will be on the bump tomorrow as Miami will take on North Carolina back at Mark Light Field at 1 p.m. looking for the sweep on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Top cornerback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft
USA TODAY Sports’ Christian D’Andrea breaks down the top cornerback studs, sleepers and deep sleepers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held Thursday, April 23 through Saturday April 25 in Pittsburgh, and the Miami Dolphins have needs at many positions.
The Dolphins could use players at cornerback, guard, safety, defensive end/edge and wide receiver and/or tight end.
The Miami Dolphins hold 11 picks in the draft, including 11th overall (first round), 30th overall (first round), 43th overall (second round) and three third-round picks.
The second first-round pick was acquired in a deal of Jaylen Waddle to Denver.
First-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and first-year coach Jeff Hafley have replaced Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel.
In previous mock drafts conducted this year by our Joe Schad, the selections have been:
Mock 1.0: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Mock 2.0: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
7-round mock draft: Mansoor Delane, LSU
3-round mock draft: Mansoor Delane, LSU
Here is mock draft 3.0 from Joe Schad:
2026 NFL Mock Draft
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
Miami, FL
Miami-Dade deputy shoots and injures a 15-year-old after a firearm threat call, authorities say
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting involving one of its deputies in southwest Miami-Dade.
Assistant Sheriff Fernand Charles Jr., speaking at a press conference, reported that at approximately 3:30 p.m., a call was received about a firearm threat at a park located at SW 216th Street and 113 Avenue.
When deputies responded, they found a group of four juveniles at SW 222nd Street and 112nd Avenue. According to Charles Jr., a confrontation ensued, and one of the deputies discharged his weapon, striking a 15-year-old boy.
The subject was grazed in the ankle, and he was transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in stable condition, Charles Jr. said.
Charles Jr. added that police recovered a firearm with an extended clip near where the teen was struck.
The three other teenagers were taken into custody by police. It is unclear what charges they will face.
The Miami Dolphins have gone full rebuild mode during the 2026 offseason. Miami hired Jeff Hafley at head coach and promptly gutted the roster of veteran talent, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins plan to completely rebuild the organization from the ground up, which includes installing a brand new culture.
Hafley dropped a cold line at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting about setting a standard for his team. He gave an example of expecting his to perform despite adversity, including Miami’s intense heat.
“We’re going to sit down and have that conversation, and then don’t get mad at me when it’s 110 degrees and you don’t feel like doing it anymore,” Hafley said per team transcripts. “I’m going to make you do it because you told me when you were comfortable in this meeting room, in air conditioning, that that’s what you wanted and I’m going to remind you of that.”
Hafley wants his coaching staff to follow his lead, holding players accountable during practice sessions. If the Dolphins truly want to be a great team, that could be a necessary step.
“It’s going to be a shared vision and then my job and our job as coaches is to hold them to that, because if you’re telling me you want to be up here and be this great, OK, well this is what we’re going to do,” Hafley added.
One reason why Hafley’s approach could be smart is because Miami is about to add a ton of young talent.
Miami gained the 30th overall pick after trading Jaylen Waddle, giving them two first-round picks in April’s draft. The Dolphins will enter the draft with 11 total picks, allowing them to install the foundation of their roster for years to come.
It will be exciting to see Miami’s new culture take shape under Hafley’s leadership.
The Miami Dolphins have gone full rebuild mode during the 2026 offseason. Miami hired Jeff Hafley at head coach and promptly gutted the roster of veteran talent, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins plan to completely rebuild the organization from the ground up, which includes installing a brand new culture.
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