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The atmosphere at Mark Light Stadium was chaotic, as basketball fans, fresh off a buzzer-beater win at the Watsco Center, flooded the ballpark and lined up in the parking garage to witness the final moments of what would become one of the most thrilling games in the Light’s history. They watched and cheered as the Mark Light Miracle unfolded in the 13th inning, turning the impossible into reality with the Canes’ remarkable comeback — not just once, but three times that night. Trailing 5-0 after the eighth with only one hit, many fans started to leave, already writing off the game. It wasn’t until UCF replaced its starter, who had thrown a no-hitter through 6 innings on just 69 pitches, that Miami shifted the game’s momentum. Max Galvin’s leadoff single in the seventh finally broke the hitless streak, sparking the Canes’ comeback story.
From a 5-run deficit entering the 8th inning, Jake Ogden closed the gap with a two-out home run, bringing the score within three. The 9th inning began with Daniel Cuvet grounding out 6-3. Then chaos ensued: Sosa and Williams both reached base via hit by pitch. Alvarez struck out, leaving the Knights just one out from victory. West and Sheahan were both hit by pitches, loading the bases and reducing the lead to two. Michael Torres, batting ninth for Miami, was up with the team’s final chance. With a 0-1 count, he singled to shallow left, scoring Williams and Watkins—who was running for West—tying the game at 5 and sending the game into extra innings.
The Knights took the lead again in the 10th inning with a lead-off double. An error by Jeffrey while attempting to field a sacrifice bunt allowed the runner on second to advance to third. A sacrifice fly to center field gave them a 6-5 lead. Miami, feeling the pressure, responded with Daniel Cuvet, who after fouling off two pitches, hit a deep drive to center—435 feet—tying the game at six.
The Canes had a chance in the 11th inning to walk it off with a leadoff single by Alvarez and a one-out walk to Sheahan. With runners on first and second and one out, Torres flew out to left field and Ogden struck out, shifting the momentum back to the Knights, quieting a very vocal crowd as the tension carried into the 12th.
Like the 11th, Miami started with a single this time by Fabio Peralta, who replaced Max Galvin after he injured his ankle in the 10th. Derek Williams had the chance to walk it off with Fabio on second, two outs. The crowd, once again on their feet and raising their voices, fell silent as Derek struck out on three pitches, sending the game into the 13th.
After two scoreless innings, the Knights struck with an opening double, scoring on a two-out single. You could almost hear a pin drop as Miami came to the plate trailing by one. The silence was broken with Alvarez leading off with a double, energizing the dugout and fans. A lull after Brandon DeGoti striking out, and time was running out on the Canes. That was all about to change as freshman Vance Sheahan came to the plate. The Mark Light Miracle would not be spoiled a third time as Vance, with a 3-1 count, swings, sending the ball deep, deep into left, soaring over the scoreboard, clearing the dugout, and the fans going wild over this unbelievable comeback that at one point they were hitless going into the 7th and trailing by 5 in the 8th. This was the mark Light Miracle at its best.
Words cannot fully express the relief provided by the bullpen, particularly Jack Durso. The Knights were on a rapid ascent until Jack stepped onto the mound in the sixth inning. Over the next three innings, they managed only a single hit and struck out four times. James Dorn dominated in the ninth, giving the offense a chance to tie the game with three crucial runs. It was a genuine team effort, making the victory particularly rewarding.
Kudos to the offense for their resilience in the 8th inning. Jake Ogden’s home run brought the game within three runs. In the 9th, Sosa, Williams, West, and Sheahan displayed incredible guts by getting hit by pitches to reduce the deficit to two, setting the stage for Michael Torres’ single that sent the game into extra innings. In the 10th, Daniel Cuvet tied the score with his homerun, and Vance Sheahan’s home run ultimately secured the come-from-behind victory.
No rest for the victors. Tomorrow at 6PM, Indiana State. Thanks to the basketball fans for boosting motivation and filling the stands and parking garage with their presence.
