Miami Dade Outslugs Santa Fe in Game 3
Gainesville, FL — The Miami Dade Sharks answered every punch and delivered the final blow, erupting for four runs in the ninth to secure a 13–9 win over Santa Fe College in a high-scoring battle.
The Sharks got on the board first with a three-run third inning, highlighted by a two-run triple from Samuel Castro that plated Rene Ramirez Jr. and Antonio Fawcett. A sacrifice fly from Willy Mendez extended the early lead to 3–0.
Miami Dade kept the momentum rolling in the fourth, as Ramirez delivered again with a two-run double to push the advantage to 5–0.
But Santa Fe responded with a massive seven-run fourth inning, flipping the game and taking a 7–5 lead. The Saints capitalized on timely hitting throughout the frame, including a bases-clearing double from Hayden Montanez and a two-run double from Ryan Chase.
The Sharks immediately began chipping away. Miguel Colmenares launched a solo home run in the fifth, and Mendez added an RBI single in the sixth to tie the game at 7–7.
After Santa Fe briefly regained the lead in the sixth, Miami Dade answered again in the seventh. Denixon Suarez tripled to bring in a run, and Fawcett followed with an RBI double to give the Sharks a 9–8 edge.
Santa Fe tied it once more in the eighth on a solo home run from James Suarez, setting the stage for a decisive ninth inning.
That's when Miami Dade took control for good.
Fawcett delivered again with a two-run double to put the Sharks ahead, and Adrian Areizaga followed with a two-run homer to left, blowing the game open at 13–9.
Fawcett led the offensive surge, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored, while Castro (3-for-6, two RBIs), Ramirez (3-for-5, two RBIs), and Mendez (two RBIs) all played key roles in the 18-hit performance.
On the mound, Miami Dade pieced together the win with five pitchers. Kevin Roque provided a key stretch out of the bullpen, and Xavier Pelzer closed it out with a scoreless ninth to earn the win.
Despite three errors, the Sharks' relentless offense proved too much, as Miami Dade piled up 13 runs on 18 hits to complete the comeback victory.