Sharks Lose Game 1 of DH

A promising start quickly unraveled for the Sharks as Miami Dade College dropped a tough 14-4 decision to Hillsborough Community College in five innings on Sunday afternoon.

The Sharks opened strong, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st behind a two-run shot from Cian Copeland, and added solo runs in the 2nd and 3rd thanks to a Thomas White homer and an RBI single from Jendy Gonzalez. However, a relentless Hillsborough offense flipped the script in the bottom halves.

After giving up three runs in the 1st, the Miami Dade pitching staff struggled to contain the Hawks in the 3rd, where HCC exploded for 11 runs—capitalizing on six hits, three walks, two Miami Dade errors, and a balk. The big inning saw RBIs from Gundelfinger, Opie, Meade, Allen, and more, effectively putting the game out of reach.

On the mound, Jordan Vargas took the loss after surrendering six runs (five earned) in 2.0 innings. Relievers Jose Villegas and Kevin Clemente were unable to stop the bleeding, combining to allow eight runs (five earned) over just one inning of work. Jeffred Fermin was a bright spot in relief, tossing a clean fourth frame with two strikeouts.

Offensively, the Sharks recorded six hits, highlighted by home runs from Copeland and White. Copeland finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk. Denixon Suarez added a double and a run scored.