Holly Sow / Arizona Silver Belt Vandal Pitcher, Timothy Stapleton, throws another strike against Pima in Tuesday’s game.

MIAMI — The Miami Vandals hosted the San Carlos Braves on Friday, March 5. The Braves had a strong start, but in the end the Vandals’ offense put Miami on top in the second half of the game.

The Braves scored first with a run in the first inning. Miami’s first run came in the bottom of the second inning when Miami’s Rafael Anaya hit a single with the bases loaded, bringing in Sterling Rogers.

In the top of the third, San Carlos scored again when Nathaniel Lister hit a long drive to right field. He took first, and Uriah Thompson made it home. In the bottom of the third, Miami’s offense really warmed up at bat. Vandal Timothy Stapleton hit a home run that also scored Riley Mawson, who was on first. An error by the Braves’ catcher, Thompson, allowed John Yanora to make it to first. Hits by Rogers and by Spencer Peery brought Yanora home before San Carlos could get the third out. San Carlos began the fourth inning with two outs - an out at first and a strikeout by Miami’s pitcher, Riley Mawson. Marcos Newman broke through Miami’s defense with a high fly ball to right field. Josh Pechuli hit a hard ground ball between first and second, giving Newman the chance to score again for the Braves.

The Vandals were at bat again. San Carlos could get two outs on the first two runners. Brandon Norcross hit a single. San Carlos pitcher, Marc Chapman, walked Stapleton, who hit a home run earlier in the game. Yanora also walked, which loaded the bases. Rogers hit a single, while Stapleton and Norcross made it home. Zachary Gonzales hit a triple, giving Miami another two runs. At the start of the fifth inning, Miami was up 9-3. San Carlos failed to score against Miami’s defense in the fifth. It was the bottom of the fifth, and Miami needed four runs to win the game. Joseph Gaona made it to first. Norcross also took a base and was followed at bat by Stapleton, who walked again. The bases were loaded. Two more Miami hits enabled Gaona, Norcross, Yanora, and Rogers to all make it home for the win, 13-3.