Sharks Strike Late Twice to Sweep Bucs Friday
The #10 Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers saw their 2026 regular season come to an end in disappointing fashion Friday in Miami as the Miami Dade Sharks walked them off with a two run home run in the bottom of the 7th in a 5-4 game one win before scoring three runs in the final two innings in game two of the doubleheader to win 5-2 to take the series and send the Bucs on the road for the first round of the FCSAA Tournament for the first time in three seasons.
MIAMI, Fla.- The #10 Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers saw their 2026 regular season come to an end in disappointing fashion Friday in Miami as the Miami Dade Sharks walked them off with a two run home run in the bottom of the 7th in a 5-4 game one win before scoring three runs in the final two innings in game two of the doubleheader to win 5-2 to take the series and send the Bucs on the road for the first round of the FCSAA Tournament for the first time in three seasons.
Game one couldn't have gotten off to much of a better start for the Bucs as just two pitches into the game Nick April-Gath launched a solo home run out of the park to give FSW a quick 1-0 lead.
Miami Dade answered in the 2nd with two runs on three hits to take their first lead of the game at 2-1.
After a 1-2-3 top of the 3rd for the Bucs, the Sharks added to their lead in the bottom of the inning, getting a one out double to bring home a run and make it 3-1 Dade after three.
Aiden Talarico got the Bucs back on track with a solo home run to lead off the FSW 4th and the Bucs took the lead back in the 5th as Jonah St. Antoine came through with a clutch two out, two strike, two run single to center to make it 4-3 FSW midway through the contest.
Bucs reliever Anthony Wilkie kept the game right there with a scoreless 5th and 6th out of the FSW bullpen and the game went to the 7th with the Bucs clinging to a 4-3 advantage.
Needing three outs to clinch a home playoff series, the Bucs got the first Shark hitter of the 7th out, but a five pitch walk put the tying run on for Miami Dade. Two pitches later disaster struck for the Bucs as Adrian Areizaga cranked a 1-0 pitch off the scoreboard in left center for a walk off, two run home run to give Miami Dade a 5-4 win.
The Bucs managed just five hits in the loss with St. Antoine picking up two of them, finishing 2-3 with a double and two RBIs. Wilkie pitched the Bucs back into the game with 3 2/3 innings of one hit baseball but didn't factor into the decision. Nicholas Lorenz took the loss, allowing two runs on one hit in 1/3 of an inning to fall to 0-2 on the year.
#10 FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN/MIAMI DADE GAME ONE BOX SCORE
It all came down to game three of the series and the final game of the regular season for both sides to determine which team would host a first round playoff series next weekend in the FCSAA Championships.
For the second straight game it was FSW striking first as April-Gath singled to lead off the ballgame and scored moments later when Talarico singled through the left side to give the Bucs a 1-0 lead after a half inning of play.
Talarico did it again in the 3rd with a two out single to drive home Bishop Quarles from second to double the Bucs lead to 2-0.
Miami Dade was one swing away from getting back into things in the bottom of the 3rd, loading the bases with two outs, but Bucs starter Parker Burgess got a ground ball to get out of the jam and keep FSW in front 2-0.
The Sharks cracked the scoreboard for the first time with a sacrifice fly in the 4th to cut the Bucs lead in half and a pair of free passes set the table for them in the 5th as they tied the game up with an RBI single to left to level the score at 2-2 at the end of five.
The Bucs couldn't get anything going with the bats and Miami Dade took advantage, scratching out a run in the bottom of the 7th to take their first lead of the game at 3-2.
The Bucs mounted a two out rally in the top of the 8th, getting back to back singles to put the tying run in scoring position, but a check swing strikeout ended the threat and kept FSW behind 3-2.
Miami Dade added two huge insurance runs in the bottom of the 8th and the Bucs found themselves in big trouble, trailing 5-2 with just three outs left to go.
The Bucs didn't threaten in the 9th, going down in order with a pair of strikeouts to end the game with Miami Dade winning it 5-2 to clinch the series victory and secure a home playoff series next weekend.
Talarico provided the only offense for the Bucs in the contest, going 2-4 with a pair of RBIs. Robbie Demetree and Tyler June also had two hits apiece for the Bucs in the loss. Burgess put together his fourth straight solid start for the Bucs, going four innings and allowing just one run but didn't factor into the decision. Brady Jones took the loss on the mound for the Bucs, allowing an unearned run in his lone inning of work.
#10 FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN/MIAMI DADE GAME TWO BOX SCORE
The Bucs close the regular season 33-15 overall and finish third in the Citrus Conference with a 21-12 mark. Miami Dade continues their strong play into the postseason, finishing 32-17 overall and 21-11 in Citrus action to finish second.
The Bucs will have the week off before hitting the road for the FCSAA Regional round next weekend for a best two out of three series somewhere in the Sunshine State. There is a chance FSW could even be headed back to Miami to play the Sharks for the second straight weekend. Those matchups will be announced early next week. Stay tuned to @FSWBucs on social media and FSWBucs.com online for updated playoff information.