Sharks Use Big Sixth Inning to Take Down Hillsborough, 8-5

Tampa, FL — Miami Dade College used a late offensive surge to pull away from Hillsborough Community College, securing an 8-5 victory on the road.

The Sharks got on the board early in the first inning when Jendy Gonzalez doubled to left, bringing home Willy Mendez for a 1-0 lead. After a quiet stretch offensively, Hillsborough responded in the fourth inning with three runs to take a 3-1 advantage.

Miami Dade answered right back in the fifth. Adrian Areizaga came through with a two-run single, scoring Denixon Suarez and Antonio Fawcett to even the game at 3-3 and shift momentum back to the Sharks.

That momentum carried into the sixth inning, where MDC broke the game open. Leamsi Montañez delivered an RBI single to give the Sharks the lead, followed by a sacrifice fly from Suarez. Later in the inning, Israel Garcia lined a two-run double to left, capping a four-run frame and extending the lead to 7-3.

Hillsborough chipped away with single runs in the sixth and seventh, but Miami Dade added an insurance run in the seventh and shut the door late.

Areizaga led the Sharks at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Garcia added two hits and two RBI. Gonzalez also recorded a multi-hit performance with a double and an RBI.

On the mound, Luke Helms earned the win in relief, tossing 2.1 innings, while Luis Lorenzo closed the game to record the save.

With the win, Miami Dade continued to build momentum as the Sharks delivered timely hitting and strong bullpen work down the stretch.