Five-Run Fourth Lifts Sharks Past Indian River, 6–4

Miami, FL - The Miami Dade College Sharks used one big inning to flip the script Saturday afternoon, defeating Indian River State College 6–4 in Game 1 of the Doubleheader and Game 2 of the series.

The Sharks struck first in the opening frame. Willy Mendez lined a single to center field to bring home Adrian Areizaga and give Miami Dade a 1–0 lead.

Indian River responded in the third with back-to-back solo home runs from Andy Schroeder and Niko Benestad to take a 2–1 advantage. The Pioneers added another run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 3–1.

Then came the fourth inning and the momentum shift.

Leamsi Montanez got things started with an RBI single to cut the deficit to one. Moments later, Jendy Gonzalez delivered a two-run single to left, scoring Montanez and Samuel Castro to put the Sharks back in front. William Polanco followed with a clutch two-run double down the line, plating Gonzalez and Israel Garcia to cap a five-run explosion and give MDC a 6–3 lead.

Indian River added a solo homer in the fifth, but that was as close as it would get.

Jose Villegas picked up the win in relief, and Luis Lorenzo was dominant out of the bullpen, tossing 2.2 shutout innings to secure his first save of the season. Lorenzo allowed no hits and struck out two to shut the door.

Mendez finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Gonzalez and Polanco each drove in two runs. Montanez added an RBI knock, and the Sharks executed cleanly defensively, turning a double play and committing no errors.

With the win, Miami Dade takes control of the series and carries momentum into Game 2 of the Doubleheader.