A New Chapter for Escalante

After two seasons with Miami Dade College, Candela Escalante is continuing her collegiate softball career at the University of Fort Lauderdale. A dedicated member of the Sharks program, Escalante steadily developed into a reliable contributor whose growth and perseverance helped strengthen Miami Dade's lineup.

Over 53 career games, Escalante recorded 26 hits, including four doubles, one triple, and two home runs, while driving in 17 RBIs. She showed significant improvement during her sophomore campaign, collecting 20 hits, 15 RBIs, and drawing 11 walks, all career highs. Her ability to produce timely offense and embrace a larger role reflected the hard work she put into her development throughout her time with the Sharks.

Escalante's biggest strides came during the 2025-26 season, when she raised her batting average by more than 100 points from the previous year while becoming a more consistent presence at the plate. Her patience, highlighted by 11 walks, and increased run production helped provide valuable depth to Miami Dade's offense as the Sharks competed throughout the season.

Now, Escalante heads to the University of Fort Lauderdale, where she'll bring experience, determination, and a team-first mentality to the next stage of her career. Her continued growth at Miami Dade has prepared her well for the opportunity ahead, and the Sharks look forward to watching her succeed at the next level.