Miami Dade Rolls Past Central Florida, 9-1
Ocala, FL - Miami Dade opened the day in impressive fashion with a commanding 9-1 victory over the College of Central Florida on the strength of a dominant performance in the circle from Amanda Handa and a relentless offensive attack that broke the game open early.
Handa was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete game and striking out 11 while allowing just two hits and one run across seven innings. She kept Central Florida off balance all afternoon, recording double-digit strikeouts and shutting down any chance of a comeback after Miami Dade built its early cushion.
The Sharks wasted no time grabbing control.
Miami Dade struck first in the top of the first inning, manufacturing two runs without needing a big hit. Cate Haggerty lifted a sacrifice fly that brought home Caroline Mito, and Coral Latshaw later scored on a Central Florida error to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead.
The second inning was where Miami Dade fully took over.
The Sharks plated six runs in the frame, capitalizing on patience at the plate, aggressive baserunning and defensive miscues by Central Florida. Maria Julia Pedroso scored on a wild pitch before Cintia Escalante came home on a walk by Ebba Sofia Eriksson. Alyssa Densmore then brought in Mito on a fielder's choice, and Latshaw added to the momentum with a steal of home. Later in the inning, Savannah Barlow reached on an error that allowed both Densmore and Haggerty to score as the Sharks surged in front 8-0.
Latshaw led the Miami Dade offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, scoring twice and drawing a walk. Mito also scored twice and added a hit and a walk, while Pedroso doubled and scored. Though the Sharks finished with five hits, they consistently pressured Central Florida with six walks and aggressive work on the bases.
Miami Dade stole five bases in the game, including two by Mito. Latshaw, Eriksson and Densmore also each recorded a stolen base as the Sharks repeatedly forced Central Florida into difficult situations.
Central Florida's only run came on a solo home run by Kaylee Riles in the bottom of the fourth, but Handa quickly settled back in and never allowed the hosts to build anything further. She finished by striking out nearly half the batters she faced in a complete-game effort.
The Sharks added their final run in the seventh when Haggerty reached on an error that allowed Nidayra Romano to score, extending the margin to the final 9-1 score.
Haggerty and Densmore each drove in a run, Eriksson added an RBI, and Miami Dade's pressure throughout the lineup helped force three Central Florida errors in the win.