Miami Dade Rallies in the 4th to Take Game 1 Over Polk State, 8-

The Miami Dade Sharks exploded for seven runs in the 4th inning to power past Polk State College, winning Game 1 of their doubleheader 8-3 and improving to 22-7 overall (12-7 conference).

Polk State struck first with an RBI single from Jamie Reinhardt in the 1st and a solo home run by Leia Hurst in the 4th, putting the Eagles ahead 2-0. But Miami Dade answered with a monster bottom half of the 4th, sending 10 batters to the plate.

Maria Julia Pedroso sparked the rally with a two-run double, followed by a string of aggressive base running, sac flies from Angelica Castro and Amanda Handa, and a clutch two-RBI double from Caroline Mito. Handa capped the inning with another RBI double, giving MDC a commanding 7-2 lead.

Polk added one more in the 5th off a Veronica Fernandez RBI single, but Miami Dade padded the lead with Handa's second RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly in the 6th.

Handa (3-1) also delivered in the circle, striking out six over four innings of work to earn the win. Carina Amarilla closed it out with three solid innings in relief.

MDC tallied seven hits on the day, including three doubles from Pedroso, Mito, and Handa. Despite being outhit 9-7, Miami Dade capitalized on Polk State's three errors and maintained sharp situational hitting and base running to seal the win.