Miami Dade Breaks It Open Early, Rolls Past St. Petersburg 9–1
Miami, FL - Miami Dade took control in the middle innings and never looked back, defeating St. Petersburg College 9–1 in a five-inning run-rule victory. The Sharks turned a tight game into a blowout with a decisive third inning and added on from there behind a balanced offensive effort and another steady outing in the circle.
After a scoreless first, Miami Dade struck first in the second when Cintia Escalante delivered an RBI single to left, bringing home Sofia Reyes for the early 1–0 edge. St. Petersburg answered in the third on a sacrifice fly from Amberlynn Collins to even the game, but that would be the only damage against Amanda Handa.
The Sharks responded immediatelyand emphatically in the bottom half. With traffic on the bases, Reyes came through with an RBI single to reclaim the lead before Maria Julia Pedroso broke the game open. The first baseman lined a triple to right field, clearing the bases and pushing Miami Dade in front 5–1 in a four-run inning that shifted all momentum.
Miami Dade continued to apply pressure in the fourth. Makayla Deleon added an RBI single, Eriksson followed with a run-scoring knock to right, and aggressive baserunning capped the inning as Coral Latshaw swiped second, allowing Alyssa Densmore to score and extend the lead to 8–1.
The Sharks closed it out in the fifth when Cate Haggerty drove in Nidayra Romano with a single to center, enforcing the run rule at 9–1.
Miami Dade finished with nine hits and eight RBIs, led by Pedroso's three-run triple and multi-hit performances from Reyes and Escalante. The lineup showed discipline as well, drawing four walks and swiping multiple bases to keep constant pressure on St. Petersburg's defense.
In the circle, Handa improved to 21–9 with a complete-game effort, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out four.
