Miami, FL
Liberty Union hangs on against Miami East and punches ticket to state tournament
CENTERVILLE – The Liberty Union softball team held a 9-1 advantage and looked to be cruising in their Division III regional final game against Casstown Miami East on Friday.
However, things got a little tense when Miami East scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning, but the Lions were able to hold on for a 9-7 victory at Centerville High School and punch their ticket to state final four.
Liberty Union, which has won 11 consecutive games, improved to 22-6 and will face Oak Harbor in a state semifinal game at 3 p.m. Thursday at Firestone Stadium in Akron. Friday’s win was the Lions’ first regional title since 2011 and second all-time.
More: Liberty Union rallies late to win Division III district title; Bloom-Carroll falls short
Liberty Union dodged several bullets in the game as Miami East loaded the bases in the first inning and only got one run, and also had the bases load two more times, but the Lions were able to escape both times without allowing a run. In all, Miami East stranded 13 base runners.
Liberty Union, on the other hand, was able to string hits together, especially in the first and second innings where they plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning and four more in the second to take a 7-1 lead. They added two more runs in the fourth and were on the cusp of ending it by run rule before Miami East scored its six runs in the seventh.
Liberty Union finished with 10 hits and was led by multiple players with two hits each. Alexis McCoy had two hits, including a home run, two RBIs and two runs. Suzie Shultz went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Payton Hochradel and Haeden Brunty contributed two hits and scored two runs each. Addi Osterman and Macie Wollenberg chipped in one hit each.
Shultz picked up the win in the circle. She went the distance, giving up nine hits, seven runs, only four were earned and seven strikeouts.
A group of South Florida students is preparing to travel more than 8,000 miles to Zimbabwe next Wednesday, though organizers say reaching their fundraising goals has become increasingly difficult this year.
Ten students from Miami Central Senior High School are scheduled to spend 18 days in the country as part of the Blindfolded International Student Cultural Exchange Program (BISCEP). The initiative aims to provide students with cultural immersion and foster global relationships.
“I’m really excited but also a tad bit nervous,” said 11th grader Shonneice Ferris.
For student Samir Rios, the trip offers a chance to engage with a new community. “The most anticipated thing that I’m looking forward to is most likely the students and the kids,” Rios said.
During the 18-day excursion, students plan to attend local schools, volunteer at an orphanage, and visit sites including Victoria Falls. “The first week we’re going to be going to school in Zimbabwe,” Ferris said.
Despite the program’s history of successful trips, BISCEP founder Edwin Sheppard said fundraising efforts have stalled. Many longtime donors have reduced their contributions due to budget constraints.
“A lot of our donors, our past donors, have not been able to donate what they’ve donated in the past,” Sheppard said. “A lot of budget cuts, and so we’re still struggling to raise all of the funding.”
Organizers confirmed the trip will proceed as scheduled despite the financial hurdles.
“This is two different schools, two different sides of the world and two different continents, and I think we’re going to do something amazing out of this,” Rios said.
The students are scheduled to depart next Wednesday. Organizers continue to seek donations to cover the remaining costs. Those interested in supporting the Miami Central Senior High students can find more information at biscep.org.
The contact period for 2028 recruits officially opened on June 15th, and Miami has been active on the recruiting trail.
Now more than ever, recruiting players early matters, with several committing before taking their official visits in their senior season.
Miami has been high on 2028 running back Terriel Harmon for a while, and he discussed the Hurricanes with Miami Hurricanes on SI.
READ MORE: Miami Hurricanes’ 2027 Football Commitment Tracker
The Hurricanes contacted Harmon almost immediately after the contact period opened and got down to business with him.
“The running backs coach (Coach Merritt) hit me up, and we just talked about the leadership I am going to bring to Miami and the environment of Miami,” Harmon said.
Even before the contact period opened up, Harmon already had a sense of what Miami was like.
“They bring the energy,” Harmon continued. “I love the players like Javian Mallory, Malachi Toney, and Mark Fletcher.”
Mallory is an incoming freshman running back at Miami, and he played high school ball at West Boca. Harmon just transferred to the South Florida power. The two of them have a great connection, and Mallory is recruiting Harmon to join him in college.
“He’s been telling me that Miami is the place to be and that it is great,” Harmon said.
Even though it’s still early in his recruitment, the Hurricanes are still in a prime position for the local three-star running back.
“I’m still not sure where I will go to school, but Miami is for sure at the top,” Harmon finished.
More About the 2028 Class
The 2028 class will be crucial for the future of Miami. Arguably, the two best prospects of the past few years, Amir Sears and Bryson Wright, are right in the Hurricanes’ backyard, and the two could change the course of Hurricanes football if they come.
Overall, the 2028 class in Florida might be one of the best in any state ever. There is so much talent throughout the state, and Miami is looking to get a class that rivals this 2027 class, which is the top three in the country per Rivals.
Some other in-state prospects that the Hurricanes are targeting include Gabriel Player (four-star linebacker), Asher Ghioto (four-star defensive lineman), Antonio Thompson Jr. (four-star defensive back), and George Selvie (four-star offensive lineman), amongst a ton of others.
While Harmon is only a three-star now, it would not be surprising if he becomes a four-star by the end of his senior season.
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