Sharks Stay Alive With Elimination Game Win Over Chipola

Sharks Stay Alive With Elimination Game Win Over Chipola
Box Score
May 14, 2026

Clearwater, FL - Miami Dade responded in emphatic fashion Thursday morning at the FCSAA Division I Softball Championship, defeating Chipola College 7-2 in an elimination game to keep their postseason run alive.

After falling into the losers bracket earlier in the day, the Sharks wasted little time bouncing back behind a complete-game effort from Amanda Handa and a balanced offensive attack that produced 10 hits.

Miami Dade broke the game open in the third inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues from Chipola to plate three runs. Coral Latshaw scored the game's first run after an error at third base before Sofia Reyes laid down a sacrifice bunt to bring home Caroline Mito. Maria Julia Pedroso added another run-scoring groundout later in the inning to make it 3-0.

Chipola answered in the fourth on a solo home run from Irene Rabasco, but the Sharks immediately responded with another three-run frame in the bottom half.

Jessica Ortiz scored on a throwing error before Pedroso delivered the biggest hit of the night, lining a two-run single up the middle to extend the lead to 6-1.

Miami Dade added another insurance run in the fifth when Cate Haggerty doubled to left field, driving in Jaylene Mieres to make it 7-1.

Handa took care of the rest in the circle, tossing all seven innings while allowing just five hits and one earned run. The sophomore struck out four and threw 80 strikes across 126 pitches to secure her 22nd win of the season.

Coral Latshaw led the Sharks offensively with a two-hit performance and two runs scored, while Pedroso drove in two runs. Haggerty finished with two hits and an RBI, while Makayla Deleon crossed the plate twice. Sofia Reyes added a hit and an RBI in addition to two sacrifice bunts.

Despite committing two errors defensively, Miami Dade controlled the game throughout and limited Chipola to just one extra-base hit.

With the win, the Sharks stay alive in the FCSAA Division I Softball Championship and advance in the elimination bracket as they continue their push toward a championship berth.