Miami Dade Rallies in Fourth Inning to Defeat Heartland, 7-4

A dominant fourth-inning rally propelled Miami Dade to a 7-4 victory over Heartland Community College on Monday. The Sharks exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth, breaking open a tied game and securing the win.

Trailing 2-1 entering the third, the Sharks evened the score when Carmela Smith crossed the plate on a groundout by Maria Julia Pedroso. The decisive moment came in the fourth inning, as the Sharks capitalized on timely hitting. Smith put Miami Dade ahead with a fielder's choice, and Angelica Castro followed with an RBI single. Gabriela Luz then delivered the biggest hit of the game, a bases-clearing triple to right field, driving in three runs to give the Sharks a commanding 7-2 lead.

Heartland responded with solo home runs by Shayne Immke in the fifth and seventh innings, but the Sharks' pitching staff held firm. Aimi Tohara (1-0) earned the win, pitching five strong innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out five. Amanda Handa closed the game, earning the save with two solid innings of relief.

Smith, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a triple, led the charge offensively, while Luz contributed three RBIs on her crucial fourth-inning triple. Speed also played a factor, with Miami Dade swiping seven bases, including three from Caroline Mito.