Miami Dade Takes Game 1 Over Gulf Coast, One Win Away from State Tournament

Miami Dade moved one step closer to the FCSAA State Tournament in Port Charlotte after securing a 5–3 win over Gulf Coast State College in Game 1 of their regional playoff series.

After falling behind 1–0 in the third inning due to an error, the Sharks responded quickly. In the fourth, Jovan Swasey delivered a clutch two-run double, scoring Talan Beckford and Willy Mendez to put Miami Dade ahead. The momentum carried into the fifth when Michael Petite's RBI single brought home Thomas White, and Cian Copeland later scored on a passed ball to stretch the lead to 4–1.

Miami Dade added an important insurance run in the sixth on Jendy Gonzalez's RBI double. Gulf Coast attempted a late rally with solo home runs from Colton Masse in the seventh and Brody Langlotz in the ninth, but it wasn't enough.

Jordan Vargas dominated on the mound for the Sharks, tossing a complete game with 11 strikeouts while allowing just five hits and two earned runs.

Miami Dade now needs just one more win to punch their ticket to Port Charlotte and the FCSAA State Tournament.