Sharks Drop Heartbreaker in Final Frame

Miami, FL - A tight battle at the diamond slipped away late for Miami Dade, as the Sharks dropped a 3-2 decision to Florida SouthWestern State College on a seventh-inning push.

Miami Dade struck first in the opening frame, manufacturing a run off small ball. A sacrifice bunt from Ebba Sofia Eriksson brought in Caroline Mito to give the Sharks an early 1-0 lead. Mito continued to set the tone at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

Florida SouthWestern answered quickly in the second inning, stringing together timely hits to take a 2-1 lead. An RBI double from Emma-Rose Payette tied the game before Lizzy Kwakernaak followed with an RBI single to push the Buccaneers ahead.

The Sharks stayed within striking distance behind a steady outing from Amanda Handa, who went the distance in the circle. The sophomore scattered seven hits and allowed just two earned runs while striking out four across seven innings.

Miami Dade found the equalizer in the fifth. After working traffic on the bases, Makayla Deleon delivered with an RBI single to even the game at 2-2.

With momentum building, the Sharks had opportunities late but couldn't capitalize, leaving eight runners on base in the contest.

Florida SouthWestern broke the deadlock in the seventh, capitalizing on an unearned run to take a 3-2 lead. Miami Dade was unable to respond in the bottom half, as the Buccaneers closed the door to secure the win.

Despite the loss, the Sharks showed resilience throughout, but a combination of missed opportunities and a late defensive miscue proved costly in the one-run defeat to kick off the doubleheader.