Miami takes the series behind strong offensive power led by Alex Sosa and Derek Williams, resulting in a score of 17-11 | South Miami Community News#

The Canes celebrated a commanding victory, clinching the first series of the season with a spectacular display of offensive power, scoring 17 runs on 15 hits and defeating a resilient Lehigh 17-11. If you enjoy high-scoring games, this one delivered. The combined total of 28 runs matched the number of hits, with both teams’ bats sizzling. Eight home runs were hit—four by each side—highlighted by Alex Sosa and Derek Williams, who each went back-to-back twice, accounting for six of the 17 runs. Playing in the 4th and 5th spots in the lineup, both have been key threats to the Mountain Hawks’ pitching struggles. Alex has posted incredible numbers over the last two games, going 2-5 with 4 RBIs yesterday—including a home run—and 4-5 today with two home runs. Derek, batting behind him, has also been impressive, going 3-4 yesterday with two doubles, and today matching Alex with multiple home runs and a sacrifice fly. The team demonstrated power throughout the batting order, making offense possible from anywhere at any moment. Only two of the starting nine failed to get a hit. With 27 hits over two days, the team continues its relentless momentum heading into tomorrow’s sweep attempt.

JD made a slight adjustment to the starting lineup, shifting Max Galvin to left field instead of Fabio and moving Cian Copeland to the designated hitter position. Most of the bench players had the opportunity to contribute starting in the seventh inning, as the starters exited for the night. Lazaro Collera was the starting pitcher tonight but only lasted 3.2 innings before being relieved by TJ Coats, with Jack Durso finishing the game.

Lehigh was caught off guard by their two-run performance last night, surpassing their previous score in the first inning thanks to Lazaro’s shaky start. Fans hoping for a repeat of the previous night were surprised to see the Canes trailing by three early on, after the Mountain Hawks opened with a hit that advanced a runner to third on an E3 error during a pickoff attempt at first. A walk induced by a passed ball brought in the first run for the MHs, followed by a home run—one of four for Lehigh that evening. By the end of the inning, it was clear Lazaro was in for a short outing after throwing 30 pitches. Whether the home run or the deficit served as a wake-up call, the Canes responded in their half of the inning to take the lead and maintained it from there.

The Miami offense quickly responded to the three-run deficit with a six-run rally in the first inning, highlighted by Vance Sheahan’s triple with the bases loaded. They added two more runs in the second inning through the first of back-to-back home runs by Sosa and Williams. Miami continued to produce hits and score runs in nearly every inning, with only two exceptions.

In the second and third innings, Lazaro seemed to settle in, needing only 12 and 11 pitches, respectively, to complete his innings. He then started the fourth inning with a home run, followed by three hits that brought in another run, leaving runners on the corners with two outs. JD decided to bring in TJ Coats to stop the threat, but not before Lehigh reduced the Canes’ lead to just three runs. This was the closest the MHs would get before the Canes regained full control.

Miami responded in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing with a run on a sacrifice fly by Brylan West. The fifth inning featured an impressive display by Sosa and Williams, who hit back-to-back home runs for the second time to extend the lead to 12-5.

Lehigh began the sixth inning with a home run, reducing the lead to six. The Canes responded with three runs in the seventh, capitalizing on two walks and an error to load the bases. A walk, a single by Copeland and West, and a sacrifice fly by Dylan Dubovik increased the lead to 15-5. This marked the second consecutive day with a 10-run margin, although the Mercy Rule was not discussed or agreed upon prior to the game. The game played on.

Jack Durso was brought in to close out the game in the 8th inning, but Lehigh made one last push, scoring two runs in the 8th and adding three more in the 9th with a three-run homer, their fourth of the game. Fortunately for the Canes, they responded with a two-run insurance run in the 8th, thanks to Mason Greenhouse’s RBI single and Donovan Jeffrey’s sacrifice fly to left.

Offensively, the team displayed strong batting, accumulating 17 runs on 15 hits. Alex Sosa and Derek Williams led the charge once again, going 4-5 and 3-3, respectively, with two home runs and three RBIs. Brylan West and Vance Sheahan also contributed multiple hits. The team’s batting average stood at .395, with a clutch 5-12 with runners in scoring position. Strikeouts decreased to just six, and defensive errors were limited to a single mistake. Highlighting the game was Michael Torres’ exceptional catch in the seventh inning, stretching out to make a remarkable play in the outfield.