Miami Dade Defeats Eastern Florida State on Sophomore Night, 5-3
The Miami Dade Sharks celebrated its sophomores in style with a 5–3 victory over Eastern Florida State College on Thursday night.
The Sharks struck early with a three-run first inning, sparked by Talan Beckford's two-RBI fielder's choice and an RBI single from Willy Mendez. In the sixth, William Polanco delivered the knockout blow—a two-run double that stretched the lead to 5–1.
Eastern Florida attempted a comeback in the seventh with a two-run double from Bo Tabola, but Miami Dade's bullpen held strong. Jordan Vargas earned the win with six innings of one-run ball and seven strikeouts, while Andy Mesa closed the door in the ninth.
Mendez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, and Beckford added two RBIs to lead the offense. On the mound, five different Miami Dade pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts and limited EFSC to just three runs on eight hits.
It was a fitting sendoff for the Sharks' sophomore class, as they walked off their home field one last time with a win in front of an energetic crowd.