Miami Dade Completes Doubleheader Sweep with 5-3 Win Over Central Florida
Ocala, FL- The Miami Dade Sharks completed a dominant doubleheader sweep of the College of Central Florida on Saturday, taking Game 2 by a score of 5-3 behind timely hitting and a complete-game effort in the circle from Ava Salvino.
After putting up nine runs in the opener, the Sharks continued to apply offensive pressure in the nightcap, collecting 10 hits and using aggressive baserunning to stay in control throughout the game.
Miami Dade struck first in the opening inning. Caroline Mito reached and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Alyssa Densmore, giving the Sharks an early 1-0 lead.
The game remained tight until the fourth inning when Miami Dade extended the advantage. Jaylene Mieres reached base and later scored when Maria Julia Pedroso delivered an RBI single to center field, pushing the Sharks ahead 2-0.
Miami Dade broke the game open in the fifth inning with two more runs. Coral Latshaw scored after Densmore reached on an error by the Central Florida shortstop, and Cate Haggerty followed with an RBI single to bring home Densmore, stretching the Sharks' lead to 4-0.
The Sharks added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Jessica Ortiz crossed the plate after Mito reached on another Central Florida error, making it 5-0.
Central Florida finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth when Hope Jordan launched a two-run home run to center field, cutting the Miami Dade lead to 5-2. The hosts threatened again in the seventh and scored once more on a groundout, but Salvino held firm to close out the victory.
Salvino earned the complete-game win for Miami Dade, allowing just three hits while striking out five across seven innings.
Mito and Latshaw led the Sharks offensively with two hits apiece. Pedroso, Haggerty and Densmore each recorded an RBI, while Mieres and Makayla Deleon added doubles as part of Miami Dade's 10-hit performance.
Latshaw also stole two bases as the Sharks continued to pressure Central Florida on the basepaths, finishing the game with four stolen bases.
With the victory, Miami Dade capped a strong day in Ocala, outscoring Central Florida 14-4 across the doubleheader while combining dominant pitching with opportunistic offense.
