Sharks Storm Back from 6-0 Hole to Stun Florida SouthWestern

Miami, FL - Miami Dade opened the Miami Regional with a dramatic 7-6 comeback victory over Florida SouthWestern State College on Friday, taking Game 1 of the best-of-three series with a trip to the FCSAA State Tournament in Tampa on the line.

Florida SouthWestern jumped out early, plating six runs in the top of the second inning behind a pair of home runs to seize a 6-0 lead. The Sharks answered immediately in the bottom half, as Miguel Colmenares launched a two-run home run to left field to cut the deficit to 6-2 and provide an early spark.

That momentum carried over on the mound, where Kevin Roque delivered a standout relief performance to keep Miami Dade within striking distance. The right-hander shut down the Buccaneers over 6.2 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out seven and holding Florida SouthWestern scoreless the rest of the way.

Miami Dade continued to chip away, with Colmenares adding an RBI single in the sixth to make it 6-3. The Sharks then broke through in the eighth inning, putting together a four-run rally to take control.

Rene Ramirez Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run, followed by an RBI groundout from Adrian Areizaga to cut the deficit to one. Samuel Castro delivered the decisive blow moments later, driving a two-run single to center field to give Miami Dade its first lead of the afternoon at 7-6.

Luis Lorenzo closed out the victory in the ninth, striking out two to secure his fifth save of the season.

Colmenares led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance and three RBIs, while the Sharks totaled 10 hits in the win.

With the victory, Miami Dade improves to 33-17-1 overall and moves one win away from advancing to the FCSAA State Tournament in Tampa.