Sharks Unable To Hold On To National Ranking

After spending a week as the No. 1 community college baseball team in the nation, Miami Dade College suffered two loses knocking them out of the top spot.

On March 22, the Sharks were defeated by Broward College 6-4; earlier in the week they lost to Indian River State College 5-4.

The team now boasts a 23- 8 overall record with a 7-3 mark in Southern Conference play.

Head Coach Danny Price believes his team can play better.

“You don’t go and play like this when you are the No.1 team in the nation,” Price said. “Sometimes it’s a death wish. I don’t think we’ve earned that. As a team we are not there yet.”

The teams strength this year has been their pitching and a stout offense.

Sophomore pitcher Derek Law has a 0.88 ERA and an overall record of 6 -2; Jharel Cotton has a 2.25 ERA with a 3-1 record.

Freshman catcher Leonardo Rojas leads the team with 29 RBI. Freshman Jorge Vega-Rosado has 23 RBI.

Ozney Guillen leads the team with eight stolen bases followed by center fielder Brian Goodwin, who has seven.

According to sophomore catcher Alexander San Juan, the team has not reached their maximum potential.

“There is always room for improvement,” San Juan said. “If we’re having success at this point of the season, by the time we reach our max we will be very difficult to beat.”

Guillen feels anything short of a national championship would be disappointing.

“We have to keep working hard,” Guillen said.

Defense is the thing the team needs the most work at. They have committed 42 errors. The Sharks said they are not where they want to be, but feel confident they can get there.

“The future will take care of itself,” Price said. “One game at a time and learn to get over the ones you lost.”