Sharks Preach Patience As Pitchers Navigate Early Season Challenges
The Miami Dade College baseball team is putting growth over results after opening the year with a 3–4 record, thanks in large part to a pitching staff that has struggled.
Combined, the Sharks have a 6.02 team ERA and a 1.58 WHIP and opponents have a .269 batting average against them. Seven pitchers have at least a 5.00 ERA or higher and the team has surrendered at least five runs in 10 games, including 14 in a loss to Pasco-Hernando State College on Jan.24.
Despite the rough start, head coach Lazaro Llanes is preaching patience.
“Honestly, I think everything is falling right into place,” Llanes said. “The wins and losses early on are part of the process. You have to learn from both. At this point, it’s about what we do to get better every time we go out and play.”
Offensively, the Sharks are off to a solid start. They have a .272 team BA and a .385 slugging percentage, producing 28 extra-base hits and they have drawn 57 walks. While power—they only have three home runs thus far—may not define this year’s lineup, Llanes believes their overall approach at the plate has improved.
“I don’t think we’ll hit as many home runs as last year, but overall, I think we’re a better hitting team than we’ve been in previous seasons,” Llanes said. “The home runs will come naturally if we keep doing things the right way at the plate.”
The Sharks have managed to keep up with their offensive production from last year despite losing three of their top players. Outfielder Michael Petite,who had 12 home runs and a .367 BA, is now a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University, outfielder Cian Copeland, who led the Sharks with 15 home runs and 51 RBI, transferred to the University of Miami, and infielder Talan Beckford, who had seven home runs and 48 RBI, left to play at the College of Central Florida.
Setting the tone for this year’s offense is third baseman Adrian Areizaga, who leads the team with nine RBI and a .275 BA, and also has a .392 slugging percentage and .339 on-base percentage.
Outfielder Willy Mendez, one of the team’s top returning players—he posted a .307 BA and 37 RBI last year— has contributed steady run production, batting .294 with 13 RBI this season.
Three freshmen, Leamsi Montanez, a catcher from Puerto Rico, outfielder Antonio Fawcett from Tampa, and infielder Miguel Colmenares have also contributed. Montanez has a .258 BA and a .368 on-base percentage, Fawcett has .281 BA, two homeruns, 11 RBI and a .531 slugging percentage and Colmenares has a .313 BA and five RBI
“We’re learning how to play together as a team,” Fawcett said. “Our bats are really hot right now, and hopefully that continues.”
Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com.
