End of Regular Season
The Lady Sharks finished their regular season conference play by splitting a double header vs. Brevard (2-2 & 0-8) and Palm Beach Community College (11-0 & 1-4) and securing a second place finish in the Southern Conference with a record of 11 wins and 8 losses. The team also qualified for the FCCAA & NJCAA Atlantic District Tournament this May 1-3 in Auburndale, Florida. In both games the MDC battery (Bennett-Morimoto) pitchers and catcher did the most damage to their rivals. Erika Bennett pitched two shut outs allowing 3 hits and striking out 24 batters in both games to reach 221 strikeouts for the season and 8 a way from school record holder for most strike outs in a regular season play Kristina "K" DeMello (currenlty at UCF) 229 in 2008. Erika improved to 19-6. Vivian Morimoto went 5x9, with 2 doubles, 2 Homers and 6 RBI's during both series to finish the season with a .400 batting average, 42 RBI's and 6 Homers in the regular season. The Sharks will finish their regular season with a way games, Saturday at Manatee College and Sunday at St. Petersburg College.
All Southern Conference Teams:
The Miami Dade College Lady Sharks Softball Team, ranked sixth in the state, has placed 13 students on the 2009 All Southern Conference Teams.
Leading the way for the Sharks on the First Team All Conference are Shortstop Simone Suetsugu, Outfielder Amanda Lara, Catcher Vivian Morimoto, First baseman and Pitcher Simone Miyahira and Pitcher Erika Bennett.
Morimoto leads the Sharks with an even .400 batting average, which is the 10th highest in Florida, and has 6 homeruns, the sixth highest total in Florida; Morimoto also leads the team in runs batted in with 41, 10th highest in the state. Suetsugu follows with a .365 average and is tied with Morimoto with 6 homeruns and has accumulated 37 rbi's; Lara has a .333 average with 18 stolen bases in 19 attempts; Miyahira is hitting at a .328 clip with 28 rbi's and five homeruns; and pitcher Erika Bennett is 19-6-1 on the season with a 0.891 earned run average and 221 strikeouts in 181 innings pitched, and is holding opponents to a combined .136 batting average.
Second Team All Conference selections include Outfielder Jeanette Falcon (.284, 13 stolen bases), and second baseman Annike Don (.304, 22 stolen bases). Honorable Mention selections are OF/INF Jennifer Rioseco, pitcher Mariana Patraca, first baseman Rebecca Hall, outfielders Jordan Marcum and Tiffany Mullins-Diaz and pitcher Tamara Hidalgo.
The Sharks have four games remaining this weekend before going to the National Junior College Athletic Association Atlantic District tournament, taking place at Auburndale, Florida May 1-3. The winner of that tournament will qualify for the NJCAA Championship tournament taking place at St. George, Utah May 17-19.
3/21/2009 vs. Brevard Community College-DH
In the first game the Sharks were lead by pitcher Erika Bennet (13-4) who pitched 10 innings in her winning effort, striking out 9. The offense was carried by Simone Suetsugu who went 1 for 2 with a homerun, 2 walks and Rebecca Hall who went 2 for 3 with 1 run scored, as well as Amanda Lara who earned the winning RBI off of her single in the bottom of the 10th inning. The Lady Sharks defeat Brevard in Game one by a score of 2-1.
In the second game, Mariana Patraca earned her 3rd win of the season (3 - 2) pitching 6 innings and allowing no runs. Erika Bennet came in as a relief in the seventh earning herself a save, her 3rd of the season. The offense was lead by Annike Don who went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored and Vivian Morimoto who went 2 for 3 with a triple and 3 RBIs. Tiffany Mullins-Diaz went 1 for 1 with a double and 2 runs scored and Rebecca Hall went 1 for 3 with a run scored and 1 RBI as well as Nicole Rodriguez who went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs. MDC won the second game 7-0. " Both games were good games, well played for both teams, it was nice to win both games and to see our team performing well under pressure, our starting pitchers threw good games, but above all our defense was outstanding and did some great diving catches (Rebecca, Tiffany, Annike, Janette and Ninja) that gave us the edge in both games" Coach Caro.
3/8/2009 vs. Brevard Community College
In the Sharks second game of the day the offense once again took care of business by scoring 6 runs in the top of the first. The earned the runs as a product of Amanda Lara reaching on a base hit, Annike Don getting walked and Simone Suetsugu following with a hit for an RBI. Simone Miyahira then connected her 1st of two homeruns in the game. Morimoto followed with a base hit, Hall was hit by a pitch and Tiffany Mullins-Diaz followed with a two out 2 RBI single to right center. The rest of the Sharks runs were scored in the 2nd 2 by a back to back homeruns by Simone Suetsugu and Simone Miyahira and final six inning 5 runs rally for a final score of 13x3. The rest Sharks offense was lead by Amanda Lara 2X4 2 Runs scored and RBI, Annike Don 2x4, 2 RBI'S 2 runs scored, Simone Suetsugu 4x4 3 RBI's HR, 2 runs scored, Simone Miyahira 2x4 2 HR's. Vivian Morimoto 3x4 an a Double, Rebecca Hall 1x2, walk, hit by a pitch and 2 runs scored and Janette Falcon 1x2 2 RBI's and a run scored. Erika Bennet picked up her 11th win of the season while pitching in every game during the weekend and wining 3 times.
"It was nice to see Erika, a kid that has the talent and the desire to the best she can be and do the best she could for her teammates, she pitched in every game of the conference tournament, her teammates I'm sure appreciate her efforts and demonstrate it by scoring a lot of runs in her support and by running with her after the game", Assistant Coach Omar Rodriguez
3/8/2009 vs. Broward College
On Sunday afternoon the Sharks opened the day by beating Broward 10-7. Bennett earned the win and the Sharks offense scored four times in the top of the 1st, one in the second, 4 in the 3rd and one in the 4th inning. The best of the Sharks offense came of the bats of Amanda Lara 2x4, Run Scored, stolen base. Annike Don 3x3 a run scored, stolen base and RBI. Simone Suetsugu 1x3 3 RBI's. Simone Miyahiara 2X4 HR and 4 RBI's. Vivian Morimoto went a perfect 3x3, run scored and RBI and Rebecca Hall went 3x4 two runs scored and RBI at the plate.
3/7/2009 vs. Palm Beach Community College
In the second game of the day the Sharks defeated Palm Beach 13-4. The Sharks offense scored first when Lara (3x4, with 2 runs scored) opened the inning with an infield hit. Simone Suetsugu walked and Miyahiara (2x4 with 3 RBI's, and one Run scored) grounded out to shortstop for an RBI. Morimoto, who went 3x4 with 3 RBI's, followed with an RBI single. Palm Beach tied the game in the bottom of the second inning off of starting pitcher Mariana Patraca. Erika Bennet came to her rescue not allowing Palm Beach runners to get on base for the remaining of the game. The Sharks offense continued their attack by scoring 3 in the 3rd, 2 in the 4th and 6 in the 5th to end the game in five innings. The rest of the best Sharks offense was S. Suetsugu 2x3 2 RBI's and 4 runs scored. Tiffany Mullins-Diaz 1x3 Run Scored, Jennifer Rioseco 1x1 and RBI, Rebecca Hall 1x3 and Nicole Rodriguez who went perfect at the plate 3x3 3 RBI's and a double.
3/7/2009: Southern Conference Tournament vs. Indian River State
The Sharks only loss was to Indian River State College in the opening game of the tournament. The Lady Sharks attacked first when they scored in the top of the second inning when Vivian Morimoto connected for a HR to right field. The Sharks continued their attack in the top of the 3rd when Tiffany Mullins-Dias opened the inning with a double to left field, Amanda Lara followed with an infield hit, moving Tiffany to 3rd and advancing to 2nd on her 10th stolen base of the season. Simone Suetsugu, who went 1x2 with two walks, hit a hard line drive to right field to score Tiffany and Lara. The Sharks corner players misplayed a catch-throw-catch with runners at 1st and 2nd and two outs to keep IRSC inning alive. This resulted in five unearned runs to Erika Bennett who was charged with her second loss of the season. The Sharks had a runners in scoring positions in the 5th and 6th but were unable to score.
"We didn't play our best Softball, we didn't have fun in that game and we had them, but gave them the break that can't be given to competitive teams and in this case ended up costing us, our girls continue the fight to the last out, including a two out double by Sophomore Annike Don in the seventh inning, that's what teams that expect to win it all do, fight all the way" Assistant Coach Eugenia Fernandez.
2/28/2009 vs. Phoenix College
The Lady Sharks tied 7 x 7 with the back to back NJCAA D-II National Champions, Phoenix College. The Sharks scored first in the bottom of the first, after Rebecca Hall and Jordan Marcum walked, while Vivian Morimoto got a 2-out hit to earn 1 RBI. Simone Sutsugu also got a 2 out hit to earn 2 RBI's. Phoenix college got on the board in the top of the 3rd inning after a two out misplayed ball by the MDC left fielder opening the door to 3 run rally and ending Erika Bennett's 35 consecutive scoreless innings. The Sharks offense was lead by Annike Don who went 2x4, Amanda Lara who went 2x4 and Tiffany Mullins-Diaz who went 2x4 with 1 RBI. The Sharks had bases loaded twice and the Phoenix defense managed to get out of the jam by executing 2 double plays, the last one in the bottom of the six when Simone Miyahira hit a hard line drive to short stop that could had potentially brought in all runners. The Sharks opened the bottom of the seventh with V. Morimoto second double of the game (4x4), but the sharks were unable to score what could have potentially been the wining run. The Sharks hit for a season high of .475 team batting average in this game.
"Luck helps those that help themselves, and these kids have worked really hard to accomplish their goals. I don't have any regrets with this team, so far this season, they will have some luck on their side, I'm sure... which will help their individual talent and team effort to finish on top of the Southern Conference at the end of the conference play" Coach Caro”
2/28/2009 vs. Eastern Arizona College
On Saturday morning the Sharks faced Eastern Arizona College in the second round of the round robin. MDC starting pitcher Mariana Patraca picked up her 2nd loss of the season in a 0x7 loss. The best of the Sharks offense was lead by Simone Miyahira who went 1x2 with a double; Nicole Rodriguez who went 1x2 and Rebecca Hall who went 2x2.
2/27/2009 vs. College of Southern Idaho (DH)
In the second game of the day, the Lady Sharks battled back from a 6 run first inning, to close the gap 7 X 5 in the 5th inning, due to a good relief effort by Tamara Hidalgo. The CSI offense rallied in the sixth inning to beat the Lady Sharks 14 x 5. The offense in this game was lead by Annike Don who went 1x3, Simone Suetsugu who went 2x3, with 2 runs scored, and 1 RBI; Simone Miyahira who went 1x3, with an RBI, and a run scored; Vivian Morimoto went 2x3 with 2 RBI's; Amanda Lara went 1x3 with 1 run scored and Jordan Marcum, who hit a monster HR in a 2x3 effort at the plate. In the second game of a double-header against CSI which the Sharks won 1 x 0 after Simone Miyahira hit a HR. Erika Bennett pitcher her 5th consecutive shutout (MDC school record) containing the rival offense to only 1 hit while striking out 9 hitters. The game was called due to darkness in the fifth inning. Vivian Morimoto made a great defensive play after CSI had a runner at second with two outs and the lead off hitter hit the ball - hitting Erika's right leg and going back to the catcher, Morimoto reacted and threw the runner out a 1st to finish the game.
2/27/2009 vs. Eastern Arizona College
The Lady Sharks participated in their first out-of-state tournament this past weekend. They began their trip to Arizona by beating the host of the tournament, Eastern Arizona College, by a score of 7x0. Erika Bennett picked up her 7th win of the season as well as tossing her 4th consecutive shutout. The offense was lead by Rebecca Hall who went 1x1, with 3 BB, 1 Double, and 2 Runs scored. Annike Don went 2x4, with a double, a run scored, and 2 RBI's. Simone Suetsugu went 1x2, with 2 BB, and a run scored. Vivian Morimoto went 2x4, with 2 doubles and 1 RBI; Amanda Lara went 2x4, with 1 run scored and Jordan Marcum went 2x3 with 1 run scored.
2/22/2009 vs. Manatee Community College (DH)
The MDC Lady Sharks softball team split their double header against Manatee Community College on Sunday afternoon. Erika Bennett (6-1-2) a product of Buena High School in Arizona pitched her 3 consecutive shut out, an MDC school record, to earn the win in extra innings with a score of 1 x 0. Bennett struck out 9 batters and allowed one infield hit in her winning pitching effort. The Sharks scored in the bottom of the 8th inning when pinch hitter, Vivian Morimoto, hit a double to left field to score Jordan Marcum.
In the second game, the Sharks defensive errors opened the door to 6 runs by Manatee. The final score of the game was 7 x 3. The Sharks battled back scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the fourth, but unfortunately fell short. The MDC offense was lead by Amanda Lara who went 3 x 3 with 2 RBIs. The Sharks will now prepare to go to Arizona to play in the Eastern Arizona College Invitational next weekend, this will be the last tournament before the Sharks start the Southeastern Conference play in Stuart, Fla.
2/21/2009 vs Seminole Community College (DH)
The Lady Sharks split the double header with Seminole Community College wining the first game with score of 4x0, Erika Bennett (5-1-2) pitched her second shut out of the season. The Sharks 3 runs rallied in the second inning was started by Palmetto Senior High stand out Tiffany Mullins Diaz who reached as she was hit by a pitch. In this game the offense was lead by Rebecca Hall 2x2, RBI and a run scored and by Braddock Senior High stand out Nicole Rodriguez who went 1x2 with RBI. In the second game the Sharks offense received their first shut out of the season at hands of Seminole right hander pitcher J. Bitzer who threw a two hit game, both of the Sharks hits went to Annike Don 2x3 with a triple.
2/15/2009 Vs. Aiken Tech and Manatee
The Sharks started the morning going in to extra innings to beat AIKEN TECH from South Carolina with score of 2x0. The Sharks scored their first run in the fast legs of Amanda Lara who was placed at second in the 8th inning tie breaker. Annike Don advanced Amanda to 3rd in a sacrifice bunt. Amanda eventually scored on a wild pitch. Simone Miyahira, the hottest hitter so far for the Sharks this season, hit a triple to RF and scored the second run of the game on a throwing error by the Aiken defense. Erika Bennett pitched a complete game with a 2 hit shout out while striking out 7 batters.
"After a tough loss the night before it's really nice and rewarding to see the team and Bennett come out to the field to compete at the best of their abilities not caring about the past, but focusing on the matter at hand," said Caro. The Sharks suffered their 4th loss of the season at the hands of Manatee Community College.
The Sharks scored first of the two runs on a HR by Simone Suetsugu, her 3rd of the season. Simone Miyahira was at 1st base after reaching on an infield single to 3rd. After that inning the Sharks offense was suddenly deep in the bottom of the ocean drinking "8 K's" coffee until Annike Don hit a two out triple putting the tying run at 3rd in the top of the 6th inning, but Miyahira got retired on a hard grounder to short for the last out of the inning. Once again during the weekend the Sharks defense failed after a great job done by starting pitcher Kayla Maclean, who got the loss, opening the door to 3 unearned runs that ended up costing them the game.
The Sharks, with a record of 10 and 4, will go back to action next weekend at home when they host Seminole Community College (record 5-3) on Saturday at 12 PM and Manatee Community College (Record 6-3) on Sunday at 11 AM at their home field in MDC Kendall Campus.
2/14/2006 Vs. Hillsborough and Polk
Mariana Patraca started and earned the win in the first game on Saturday afternoon vs. Hillsborough Community College. The sharks scored 7 runs in the first two innings for a final score of 7 to 1. The Sharks offense was lead by Simone Suetsugu who went 3 x 4, with 3 RBI's and Annike Don who went 1 x 2, with 2 RBI's. In the second game, the Sharks defense committed 3 errors that cost them the game. The starting pitcher was Kayla Maclean who pitched 4.2/3 innings allowing 5 hits and no earned runs. Erika Bennet came to the game in a relief effort and got the the first loss of the season in extra innings when the Vikings got a blooper behind 3rd base to score the go ahead run after a runner was placed on second base in the 8th inning tie breaker. Bennet, who struck out 6 in 3.1/2 innings of work, got 3rd batter Andreson to ground out to short with two outs, but a costly error of the Sharks defense opened the door to another run for a final score of 3 x 1. The Sharks offense was lead in this game by Jordan Marcum who went 2 x 3, with 1 run scored, Simone Miyahira who went 2 x 3 with a double and Simone Suetsugu who went 2 x 4 with a double and Amanda Lara going 1 x 3 with 1 RBI.
"It's sad to see an athlete putting her best pitching performance of the season so far on the mound, even surpassing her wining efforts vs. Chattanooga State in last weekends Triple Crown College Classic Championship game, she looked really sharp and ended up with the loss, but at the same time it's rewarding because the pitcher and catcher battery did a great job in that game that will give us the chance to win close games", Coach Caro.
2/8/2009 vs. Chattanooga State
The Miami Dade College Women's Softball team won the Triple Crown College Classic held this past weekend in St. Augustine, Fl by beating the NJCAA pre-season nationally ranked number 2, Chattanooga State, in the tournaments championship game by a score of 4x2. Erika Bennett pitched a complete game to earn the win and improve to 3 and 0 for the season, while striking out 13 batters. With the game tied at 2 runs in the top of the seventh and with two outs, Nicole Rodriguez kept the inning going with a hit to RF. A pass ball moved the pinch runner, Ruth Blandon, to second. Janette Falcon (2x3 with 2 stolen bases) followed with an RBI triple to right centerfield, Annike Don walked and in a double delayed steal attempt the Sharks got their second run of the inning. The Sharks won 6 of 7 games this weekend, going 4-1 at the Triple Crown Classic to improve to 8-2 on the season.
2/8/2009 vs. St. Petersburg College
On Sunday the Sharks opened the day by defeating St. Petersburg College by score of 6x1. Kayla Maclean earned her 3rd win of the season in a
2/7/2009 vs. Florida Community College of Jacksonville
The Sharks suffered their second loss of the season in the last game of the day with a score of 9 to 5 to Florida Community College of Jacksonville.
2/7/2009 vs. University of Florida Club Team
The Sharks got to the Championship game by defeating the University of Florida Club team 12 to 8. Mariana Patraca got her first win of the season and Jordan Marcum hit a HR in the first game of Saturday's schedule.
2/6/2009 vs. Daytona State College
On Friday MDC beat FCCAA preseason ranked No.10 Daytona State College by scores of 3x1 with Erika Bennett on the mound who was throwing a perfect game to the bottom of the six inning when Daytona had their only hit and run of the game. Annike Don went 1x3 at the plate with the wining two outs top of the seven 2 RBI double to left field. In the game cap the Sharks got good pitching performance on a complete game shout out by K. Maclean and the offense score 8 times with doubles for J. Marcum, S. Miyahira, V. Morimoto, N. Rodriguez, and homeruns for T. Mullins-Diaz and S. Suetsugu her second of the season.
2/1/2009-vs. Central Florida Community College (DH)
Game 1:
The SHARKS were caught in their first extra inning game of the season and dropped it to Central Florida Community College 6 to 4. Mariana Patraca started the game for the Sharks,while Kayla Maclean pitched in relief, did well in her second relief appearance of the season, earning the loss. The Sharks defense, one of the strongest qualities that the team brings to the table this season, opened the door to 3 unearned runs as a product of 4 errors. The Sharks were losing 2 to 3 in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs on the board when Simone Suetsugu sent the game into extra innings when she hit a HR over the 215 feet mark in center field.The game was put after bases were loaded and Ashley Clark hit a two out double to earn the win for her team. "I was OK even though we lost a game that we had the chance to win, this type of game prepares us to be better in close games," said Coach Caro.
Game 2:
After a flat start in the second game the Sharks got it together after the 5th to finish strong. Lead by Captain Erika Bennett, who came in of relief for Tamara Hidalgo who threw a great game in 5 innings and allowing 2 runs, 1 unearned. Erika took the mound with a score of 1 to 2. The Sharks offense started two-run rally after a one out walk to Jordan Marcum, who stole second, Amanda Lara bunted for a infield hit and stole second and the table was set for Nicole Rodriguez who got the job done with an RBI grounder. With the game tied at 2, Tiffany Mullins -Diaz got a hit to left field to bring home Lara which resulted in the run differential of the game.
1/31/2009- vs. St. Petersburg College
The Miami Dade Lady Sharks Women's Softball team began their 2009 season with a win against St. Petersburg College. The Sharks defeated St. Petersburg 4 to 2. The Lady Sharks earned 4 runs in the first inning with a lead off walk and run scored by Janette Falcon (1x3 and BB) of RBI single Rebecca Hall (2X2, a BB and 2 SB). The team earned three more runs in that inning product of home run by Vivian Morimoto (1X2 and a BB) with two runners on base. The Sharks were lead defensively by pitcher Erika Bennet a freshman from Arizona who held St. Petersburg to 2 hits and struck out 4. Kayla Maclean earned the save and finished the game strking out the last batter of the game. |
