Sharks Drop Extra-Inning Thriller to Indian River, 8-7

In a back-and-forth battle that stretched into extra innings, Miami Dade fell just short against Indian River State College, suffering an 8-7 loss in 10 innings on Friday night. Despite a strong offensive performance that saw the Sharks collect seven hits and eight RBIs, Indian River delivered in the clutch, walking it off in the bottom of the 10th.

Miami Dade jumped out early, plating three runs in the second inning thanks to key hits from Dana Piri and Gabriela Luz. Indian River responded with three runs of their own in the third, tying the game before both teams settled into a defensive battle. The Sharks regained the lead in the fifth on an RBI single from Carmela Smith, but a sixth-inning run from Indian River knotted the score once again.

With both teams struggling to find the go-ahead run, the game remained tied heading into the ninth. Miami Dade took a 6-5 lead in the top of the ninth after Ebba Sofia Eriksson launched a two-run home run, but the Pioneers answered once again, pushing across a run to extend the game.

In the 10th, the Sharks managed to scrape across another run on a clutch hit from Amanda Handa, but Indian River's offense proved too much in the bottom half. The Pioneers rallied, plating three runs to secure the walk-off victory.

Miami Dade's Amanda Handa (2-1) took the loss despite a strong relief effort, tossing six innings while allowing just three earned runs and striking out five. Aimi Tohara started the game, working 3.2 innings and allowing three runs.

Offensively, the Sharks were led by Dana Piri (2 RBIs), Ebba Sofia Eriksson (2 RBIs, HR), and Gabriela Trinoski (1 RBI, 2 walks). Carmela Smith showcased her speed, swiping two bases.