Sharks Break It Open in Fifth, Roll Past Daytona State 8-2
Miami, FL 0- Miami Dade used a five-run fifth inning and a strong performance on the mound to pull away from Daytona State College, earning an 8-2 victory on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Sharks improved to 14-12-1 overall and 7-6-1 in conference play, matching Daytona State in the standings.
Miami Dade struck first in the opening inning. Samuel Castro reached and later came around to score when Miguel Colmenares delivered an RBI single to center field, giving the Sharks an early 1-0 lead.
The Sharks added to the advantage in the second inning when Antonio Fawcett crushed a two-run home run, bringing home Denixon Suarez and pushing the Miami Dade lead to 3-0.
Miami Dade pitching handled the rest early. Samuel Alonso started the game and worked two scoreless innings while striking out two. Xavier Pelzer followed with three strong innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three to keep Daytona State off the scoreboard.
The game broke open in the bottom of the fifth.
Fawcett scored the first run of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Willy Mendez to make it 4-0. With the bases loaded later in the frame, Jendy Gonzalez drew a walk to force in another run. Suarez then delivered a two-run single to center field, and Rene Ramirez Jr. followed with an RBI single to cap the five-run inning and extend the lead to 8-0.
Daytona State pushed across two runs in the seventh on an RBI single by Miguel Gonzalez, but the Sharks bullpen closed the door from there.
Miami Dade finished with 11 hits in the win. Colmenares led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance and an RBI. Castro added two hits and scored twice, while Fawcett went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Suarez also recorded two hits and two RBIs.
Jesus Moreno worked the final two innings to secure the win as Miami Dade pitchers combined to limit Daytona State to just three hits while striking out eight.
The Sharks will look to carry the momentum forward as they look to take the series in Game 3.