Sophomore first baseman Jason Torres hits a homer to center field during the third inning of the 19-2 win against NJIT on February 17, 2024. Photo credit: Charisma Jones
The J.D. Artega era is off to a strong start in Coral Gables as Miami picks up its second win of the season in a 19-1 rout.
After the Cardiac ‘Canes came back to win 8-7 last night, the new Hurricanes head coach is 2-0 after Miami got the win against the NJIT Highlanders in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader.
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Junior Rafe Schlesinger started his first game as a Hurricane. After giving up an earned run in the first inning, the lefty locked in for his remaining four innings. Schlesinger struck out nine batters in five innings, giving up five hits for one run.
Junior Rafe Schlesinger throws a total of 90 pitches in five innings, only allowing five hits and one run during the 19-2 win against NJIT in the first game on February 17, 2024. Photo credit: Charisma Jones
The Miami bats came alive in a big way early. A six-run first inning powered by home runs from sophomore Blake Cyr and catcher Carlos Perez set the tone.
In the second inning, freshman Daniel Cuvet hit a ball 460 feet to left field to take an 8-1 Miami lead. The following inning, first baseman Jason Torres hit a solo home run to right field, and Wake Forest transfer Lucas Costello got his first RBI as a ‘Cane as Miami stepped in the driver seat, leading 10-1.
NJIT starter Joe Georgini struggled early, giving up five earned runs in two innings pitched. Four other Highlander pitchers entered the game, but Miami’s offense could not be slowed down.
Austin Francis led the NJIT offense in hits with two.
Miami’s bullpen had its second straight shutout outing. Gulf Coast State transfer Slaide Naturman gave up no hits in two innings pitched. Freshman JT Caruso passed the eye test with four strikeouts in two innings pitched.
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In only the second game of the season, Miami’s offense might have found its replacements from last year’s stars.
During the second game against NJIT, senior Carlos Pérez scores a total of two runs and three RBIs in his two at-bats in the 19-2 blowout win. Photo credit: Charisma Jones
With tough shoes to fill at first base and third base following the departure of Yohandy Morales and C.J. Kayfus, Miami’s best hitters today were its first and third basemen.
After a home run in last night’s contest, Daniel Cuvet went 4-of-4 with a home run, two doubles and two RBI’s. Jason Torres finished his day going 4-of-5 with two home runs, two doubles and five RBI’s.
After the second game of the Saturday doubleheader, Miami finishes up its four-game series against NJIT at Mark Light Field on Sunday at 1 p.m.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Lionel Messi scored twice in a four-goal second half, defender Telasco Segovia added a goal and two assists and defending champion Inter Miami CF rallied to beat Orlando City SC 4-2 on Sunday night, winning for the first time at Inter&Co Stadium.
Messi took a pass from Segovia and scored in the 57th minute to tie it 2-2, and Segovia scored unassisted in the 85th for the lead. Messi put the finishing touch on the victory when he scored off a free kick in the 90th.
“The victory belongs exclusively to the players,” Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after the game. “In the second half, they were a championship team. There were no tactics, nothing like that. There was heart, courage, possession, resilience, commitment. I think the team came out because they were champions last year.
“In the end, the players showed it. This victory is theirs.”
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Messi’s first two goals of the season give him 52 in his first 55 regular-season MLS matches — 51 of them in his past 49 appearances. It also brought the reigning MLS MVP to 898 career goals scored, including 672 for Barcelona and 115 for Argentina.
“He’s the best player to ever play this sport. He’s a leader, and as a leader, he inspires others, but he also often needs to be inspired himself,” Mascherano said of Messi. “When he was driving forward, he had more attacking options, and with so many opportunities, he clearly has the ability to create chances like no one else, and that’s what allowed us to turn the game around.”
Marco Pašalić took a pass from Iván Angulo and scored in the 18th minute to give Orlando City a 1-0 lead. Pašalić has scored in four straight matches against Inter Miami.
Inter Miami players celebrate after scoring a goal against Orlando City in MLS.
Defender Griffin Dorsey set up Martín Ojeda for a goal six minutes later for a 2-0 advantage that stood through halftime.
Inter Miami cut it to 2-1 four minutes into the second half on Mateo Silvetti’s first career goal. Defenders Segovia and Facundo Mura had assists as the 20-year-old forward found the net in his fifth career appearance.
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Segovia had eight goals and six assists as a rookie last season, while Mura collected his first assist in his first season.
Dayne St. Clair, the reigning goalkeeper of the year, turned away three shots — all in the second half of his second start with Inter Miami, but let in a soft goal for Orlando’s first.
Maxime Crépeau had four saves in his second start for Orlando City.
Teenager Colin Guske, 19, will miss Orlando City’s next match after the rookie picked up two yellow cards in his first start — the second one led to his exit in the 88th minute.
Inter Miami, which had never won in its previous nine trips to Orlando, was coming off a 3-0 road loss to LAFC.
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Orlando City swept Inter Miami during the regular season last year and leads the all-time series 8-7-4.
Inter Miami plays D.C. United on Saturday at Audi Field. Orlando City is also on the road with a match against New York City FC.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this recap.
Rain floods Miami Beach streets, cut short Miami Heat Family Festival
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Much-needed rain fell across South Florida on Sunday, but the downpour quickly led to flooding and traffic headaches.
“The drainage systems aren’t the best but in ten minutes it will be gone,” one person said.
The rain lasted longer than 10 minutes, flooding several spots along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.
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In one neighborhood, at least a foot of water blocked the entrance. Drivers who attempted to pass through sent waves crashing onto nearby sidewalks.
The heavy rain also snarled traffic on parts of Interstate 95 and on the bridges to and from Miami Beach, slowing drivers trying to get around the area.
“It’s Miami for you. What do they call it, a sun shower?” one driver said.
The weather disrupted Sunday plans for many. The 26th annual Miami Heat Family Festival was cut short after strong winds swept through Dan Paul Plaza, knocking over several tents.
There is no word yet on how or when the Miami Heat plan to make up the family festival.
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Brett Knese
Brett Knese joined the Local 10 News team as a general assignment reporter in March 2025.
Jack and Jill of America’s Miami chapter closed out Black History Month with an inaugural “Roots Across Waters” trip to Nassau, where families explored ancestral sites, honored the Bahamian labor that helped build early Miami, and donated Afro‑Caribbean children’s books to local students.
