Colmenares Powers Sharks Past SCF in FCSAA Championship Opener
Tampa, FL - Behind a shutdown bullpen effort and a four-RBI night from Miguel Colmenares, the No. 24-ranked Miami Dade College opened the 2025 FCSAA Division I Baseball Championship with a 6-1 victory over State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota on Friday afternoon.
The Sharks improved to 35-17-1 on the season and moved to 1-0 in tournament play after turning in one of their most complete performances of the year on both sides of the ball.
After three scoreless innings, Miami Dade broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Jendy Gonzalez and Willy Mendez set the table before William Polanco lined an RBI double into right center to give the Sharks the opening run of the game. Moments later, Colmenares ripped a two-run double down the third base line, extending the advantage to 3-0.
State College of Florida answered with its lone run in the fifth, capitalizing on a fielding error after an RBI single from Karson Grout cut the deficit to 3-1. Miami Dade immediately responded in the bottom half of the inning when Adrian Areizaga came around to score on a balk, restoring the three-run cushion.
Colmenares continued his standout night in the sixth inning, launching a solo home run to left field to push the lead to 5-1. The freshman infielder added his fourth RBI of the evening an inning later with an RBI single to left, plating Samuel Castro for the final margin.
Castro finished 3-for-5 at the plate, while Colmenares went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and four RBI. Jendy Gonzalez added two hits and scored twice, and Polanco chipped in an RBI double.
On the mound, Xavier Pelzer gave Miami Dade 4.1 innings in the start, allowing just one unearned run while striking out four. Jose Villegas earned the win in relief after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings. Jesus Moreno bridged the middle innings before Luke Helms closed the door with 2.2 scoreless innings to secure the victory.
Despite allowing 10 hits, Miami Dade's pitching staff did not surrender an earned run and turned multiple key double plays defensively to keep SCF from building momentum throughout the night.
The Sharks will continue play in the FCSAA Division I Baseball Championship as they take on Chipola College tomorrow at 5:00 PM.