The Lady Sharks softball season concluded with a heartbreaking 3-2 extra-inning postseason loss to Eastern Florida State College on May 15, but the 2026 campaign will be remembered for the resilience, chemistry and the fight the team showed.
Miami Dade College finished with a 35-19 overall record and a 26-14 conference mark, battling through one of the toughest schedules in the state while staying competitive until the final out.
Head coach Gina De Agüero said the team’s identity was defined by its toughness, accountability and ability to fight through adversity.
“This team competed every single day regardless of the circumstances,” De Agüero said. “This group showed resilience, played with heart, held each other accountable, and represented MDC with pride every time they stepped on the field.”
The Lady Sharks faced challenges throughout the season, including the process of building chemistry with a roster that featured both experienced sophomores and a freshman class learning the college game.
But instead of allowing those obstacles to separate them, the team grew closer.
“This team never quit, never pointed fingers, and continued to fight until the final out,” De Agüero said. “Adversity didn’t break this team; it brought us closer together.”
That growth was reflected in the team’s postseason run and the way players leaned on each other during difficult moments.
Sophomore pitcher Amanda Handa said the biggest takeaway from the season went far beyond wins and losses.
“We built a true family from the ground up,” Handa said. “We started as strangers, and along the journey, we grew closer, learning to trust one another.”
Handa became one of the team’s biggest leaders in the circle, finishing the season with a 22-11 record, a 1.79 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 161 strikeouts in 192 innings.
“The biggest growth was my mental game,” Handa said. “Experiencing so many new situations taught me how to stay calm under pressure.”
One of Miami Dade’s biggest moments came against Indian River State College, a nationally recognized opponent ranked among the top three teams in Florida.
The Lady Sharks won the season series, taking three of four games. They won the series’ first game 5-1 on March 10 before holding on for a dramatic 3-2 victory in the second game. Those two wins added to an eight game win streak at the time. The squads split a series on April 14.
“Nobody expected us to win, and I will always remember everyone running onto the field, jumping, and being so incredibly happy,” Handa said.
The Sharks were led offensively by sophomore Caroline Mito, who put together one of the strongest offensive seasons in the state.
Mito, a shortstop, led Miami Dade in multiple categories, appearing in 54 games while batting .536 with eight home runs, 55 RBIs, 68 runs scored and 39 stolen bases.
“Caroline Mito led the state in batting average all season,” De Agüero said. “This alone is an incredible accomplishment.”
Freshman left fielder Makayla Deleon also made an immediate impact, playing in 50 games and finishing with a .379 batting average, 19 RBIs, 32 runs scored and 23 stolen bases.
For De Agüero, the contributions from both returning players and newcomers were a major reason for the team’s success.
“Our returning sophomores did a great job setting the tone with their experience, work ethic, and leadership,” De Agüero said. “Our freshman class brought the energy and bought into our team culture.”
Although the season ended one game short of the team’s ultimate goal, Handa said the relationships built throughout the year are what she will remember most.
“Years from now, I will remember how we lifted each other up through the highs and the lows as a real family,” Handa said.
Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com.
