Louisville won its first NCAA Tournament game and handed Miami its first regional opener loss in 11 years as the Cards thumped the 'Canes 13-7 in the opening game of the Columbia Regional.
UM, which had won 27 of its last 29 regional games, fell for the first time in regional play since losing 5-4 to Sam Houston State on May 23, 1996, in Austin, Texas.
It looked like business as usual for the 'Canes early on as they jumped out to a 7-3 lead and chased Big East Pitcher of the Year Zack Pitts in the middle of the second inning. But U of L would tie things up two innings later on a three-run Jorge Castillo home run, and would go on to score 10 unanswered.
After a two-run RBI single in the top of the fifth by Daniel Burton gave the Cards a 9-7 advantage, Kyle Hollander was handed the ball and began what would turn out to be a spectacular performance. Hollander shut down the hard hitting Hurricanes, retiring all 12 batters he faced and recording five strikeouts in four innings.
With Hollander handling the 'Canes' bats, the Cards continued to add runs to the visiting side of the scoreboard. Isaiah Howes hit his fifth home run in as many games to make it 10-7 in the seventh, and the lead was extended to five in the eighth on an error and a Boomer Whiting RBI single.
Another insurance run was added in the ninth when catcher Derrick Alfonso - who was the offensive star of the day, going 5 for 6 at the dish - knocked in Chris Dominguez with a base hit. Star closer Trystan Magnuson then came in to shut the door in the ninth.
U of L will now play the winner of today's Missouri/Kent State game at 7:30 tomorrow night.
Freshman lefty Justin Marks is expected to get the call on the mound for Louisville.