Sharks Explode for Big Sixth Inning in 12–6 Win Over College of Central Florida

Miami, FL - The Sharks opened up their conference schedule with a win over the 2023 NJCAA National Champs to move to 5-6 on the year.

The Sharks struck first, plating three runs in the opening inning to set the tone early. Jendy Gonzalez came around to score the game's first run before Willy Mendez lined an RBI double to right field, and a wild pitch later brought Denixon Suarez home to give MDC a 3–0 advantage.

Central Florida answered quickly, putting together a three-run second inning to even the score, and the game remained tight through the middle frames. Mendez delivered again in the third with an RBI single to restore the lead, but the Patriots responded in the fourth to tie things at 4–4.

Miami Dade regained control in the fifth when Gonzalez scored to make it 5–4, setting up the inning that ultimately decided the game. The Sharks sent traffic across the bases in the sixth, capitalizing on patience at the plate and timely hits. Antonio Fawcett and Gonzalez each drew RBI walks before William Polanco drove in two more with a single to right center. Adrian Areizaga followed with a sacrifice fly as MDC pushed five runs across to stretch the lead to 10–4.

Central Florida trimmed the deficit with two runs in the seventh, but the Sharks answered immediately. Fawcett delivered the exclamation point with a two-run homer to right center, restoring a six-run cushion and putting the game out of reach.

Fawcett finished with three RBIs to lead the offense, while Polanco and Mendez each added two RBIs as Miami Dade's lineup produced throughout the order. Gonzalez scored three times as the Sharks matched Central Florida with 11 hits but made theirs count in key moments.

On the mound, Jose Villegas earned the win in relief with 1.1 scoreless innings, helping stabilize the game before Xavier Pelzer and Magdiel Estevez combined to close out the final frames and secure the victory for the Sharks.