Sharks Break It Open Late to Defeat Monroe, 10–4
Miami, FL- A six-run eighth inning lifted Miami Dade College past Monroe University on Saturday night, as the Sharks pulled away late for a 10–4 victory at home.
After trailing into the middle innings, Miami Dade used disciplined at-bats and timely extra-base hits to flip the game and secure the win.
Monroe struck first with a run in the opening frame, but the Sharks answered in the third. Willy Mendez delivered an RBI single to center to score William Polanco and even the score at 1–1.
Starting pitcher TJ Socarras kept the game within reach early, working 3.2 innings and striking out five while limiting damage through traffic on the bases.
Miami Dade took its first lead in the sixth. Miguel Colmenares reached and moved into scoring position before Nelson Hiraldo lined an RBI single to left, pushing the Sharks ahead 2–1.
Monroe responded with a three-run homer in the seventh to regain a 4–2 edge, but the Sharks answered immediately in the bottom half.
Mendez lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Polanco, Israel Garcia followed with an RBI single, and Colmenares added another sac fly as Miami Dade plated three runs to reclaim the lead at 5–4.
From there, the Sharks seized full control.
In the eighth, Adrian Areizaga ripped a two-run double down the line to extend the advantage, and aggressive baserunning combined with pressure on the defense added three more runs to break the game open at 10–4.
Miami Dade finished with 14 hits on the night, led by Areizaga's four-hit, two-RBI performance. Polanco scored three times, while Mendez drove in two and collected two hits. Antonio Fawcett added a pair of hits, and Hiraldo and Colmenares each delivered key RBIs.
On the mound, the bullpen shut the door. Devin Grazzal bridged the middle innings, Andy Mesa earned the win with 1.2 scoreless frames, and Samuel Alonso struck out the side in the ninth to close it out.
