Mendez’s Two Homers Power Miami Dade Past St. Thomas

Mendez’s Two Homers Power Miami Dade Past St. Thomas
Box Score
February 17, 2026

Miami, FL-  The Miami Dade Sharks broke things open early and never let up Tuesday night, rolling past St. Thomas University 12–2 behind a balanced offensive attack and dominant pitching performance at home.

The Sharks plated runs in five different innings and used a big middle stretch to create separation, outscoring St. Thomas 7–1 between the third and sixth innings to take full control of the game.

Miami Dade finished with 10 hits on the night, led by a monster performance from Willy Mendez, who went 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs, and four runs scored. Mendez's two-run blast in the sixth inning extended the Sharks' lead before he added another two-run homer in the eighth to cap the scoring.

The Sharks first took the lead in the second inning, capitalizing on a St. Thomas error before Leamsi Montanez lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home another run. Miami Dade added three more in the third, highlighted by Miguel Colmenares' two-run double to left field that pushed the advantage to 5–1.

Miami Dade continued to apply pressure in the fourth as William Polanco tripled to center to score Jendy Gonzalez, and Denixon Suarez followed with an RBI single to extend the lead. The Sharks added insurance in the sixth on Mendez's first homer of the night before Gonzalez delivered an RBI single in the seventh.

On the mound, the Sharks' pitching staff controlled the game from start to finish. Kevin Roque earned the win after striking out five over three innings, while Devin Grazzal followed with six strikeouts across three frames. Jesus Moreno closed the door with two perfect innings, striking out four as Miami Dade pitching combined for 15 strikeouts while allowing just four hits.

Colmenares finished with two hits and two RBIs, Suarez added two hits and an RBI, and Polanco contributed an RBI triple as part of the Sharks' 12-run effort.

Miami Dade improves with the convincing midweek win and returns to action looking to carry the offensive momentum into its next matchup against Indian River State.