Late Sixth-Inning Surge Sends SCF Past Miami Dade
Fort Myers, FL - Miami Dade saw a late lead slip away Sunday afternoon, as State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota used a nine-run sixth inning to pull away for an 11–3 victory.
The Sharks held control early, breaking a scoreless tie in the fourth inning despite managing just three hits on the day. Jessica Ortiz reached on an error to spark the rally, allowing Ebba Sofia Eriksson and Alyssa Densmore to come around and score. Moments later, Cintia Escalante delivered Miami Dade's lone RBI hit of the afternoon, lining a single to left field to bring Ortiz home and give MDC a 3–0 advantage.
Amanda Handa kept the Manatees quiet through the first four innings, working around traffic and limiting damage as the Sharks carried the three-run lead into the fifth. State College of Florida answered in that frame, cutting the deficit to one after Cailinne Kelly delivered a two-run single to center field.
The game turned decisively in the sixth inning. SCF capitalized on timely hitting and control issues, stringing together multiple extra-base hits and taking advantage of wild pitches to plate nine runs in the frame. A'Lana Martinez highlighted the inning with a two-run home run, while Kelly, Kierstyn Aumua, and Jamie Sepsick each added RBI hits as the Manatees surged in front.
Miami Dade was unable to respond offensively in the final two innings, finishing with three runs on three hits. Escalante and Makayla Deleon each recorded a hit, while Densmore also added a base knock. Handa took the loss after allowing six earned runs over 5.1 innings, and Enora Simon worked in relief.
