South Dade Games Halted By Air Evacuation

In the span of 20 minutes, what seemed like an average night of high school athletic competition at South Dade Senior High turned into a cascade of dramatic, bizarre, and at times unbelievable events.

On Tuesday night, South Dade softball took on district rivals Southridge at home, while mere yards away the school’s baseball team took on Coral Reef.

The first of many issues to arise began at the softball diamond, when as the setting sun made the late afternoon sky darker, half of the field’s lights failed to turn on, sparking a potential race against time to get an official game into the books.

After assurances from the umpire that the game would play on as long as officials had a clear view of the game, competition resumed.

As South Dade’s softball team jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first inning, a dramatic scene was unfolding at the school’s baseball field.

Early on in the contest, a foul ball rocketed into the press box at the baseball facility, striking a male student.

The identity of the student has not been officially released.

After several tense moments, emergency rescue was called in to the school to aide the bleeding victim.

Miami Dade Fire Rescue paramedics made the decision upon arrival that the student needed to be airlifted to the hospital.

With the rescue chopper en route, play had to be halted at both the softball and baseball games for the safety of the fans and players, while school officials rushed onto the track facility to clear it of any neighborhood residents working out in the early evening.

With play halted, the Miami Dade Fire Rescue team guided the helicopter onto the school’s track field where an ambulance awaited with the injured student.

After loading was completed, the chopper quickly lifted off and the hold on play was lifted for both games.

Softball, rushed by the now impossible to play in darkness finished their game in three innings with a 15-0 win over Southridge.

Pitcher Tatum Rodriguez was awarded the victory, throwing a complete game shutout against the Lady Spartans.

On the baseball diamond, a now near empty press box sat quiet while a palpable hush hung over the facility.

After seven innings, Coral Reef fell to South Dade in a 7-0 result, with Chris Gomez picking up his sixth win of the season after six innings of solid pitching with just two hits and six strikeouts.

Alek Manoah led the way once again, going 3-for-3 with an RBI while Jason Rivero finished going 2-for-3.

At press time, an update on the injured student had not been made available to the public.

Coral Reef Softball Captures Win

Coral Reef softball picked up a close 13-11 win over Forest Ocala, giving the Lady Cudas their eighth win of the year.

Rebecca Sutton racked up her sixth victory of the year, throwing five strikes in the win.

Michelle Ryan finished the game going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a home run while teammate Katerina Biox went 3-for-4 with two RBI and four runs.

Janis Casanas went 3-for-5 as well, driving in a run and adding two herself.

Tyanni Guzman went 3-for-4 in the victory while Gabrielle Stouffer added a two-run home run.

Westminster Pulls Out Close Victory

Playing in the annual SlamFest Tournament, Westminster Christian squeezed out a close 9-7 win over Cooper City, giving the Lady Warriors their 11th win of the season.

Pitcher Victoria Perez picked up her sixth win of the year, thanks in part to solid and timely offensive support.

Ally Mena led the way, going 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI.

Adriana Otero went 3-for-5 with two RBI while Megan Diaz went 2-for-3 with a run.