Velez Pitches Brandon Past Northeast In 7A Semifinal

Antonio Velez pitched a four-hitter and struck out eight for Brandon as it defeated Northeast 3-1 on Tuesday in a 7A regional semifinal. The Eagles (21-6) advance to Tuesday’s regional final against Venice (24-5).

Derek Jaar homered on the first pitch of the second inning to put the Vikings up 1-0.

The teams sped through 1-2-3 innings through the top of the fourth, before the Eagles evened it at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning. Jerry Biller opened with a single to right before Teddy Flynn sacrificed his courtesy runner, Zack Pommier, over to second. Antonio Velez singled to center and got to second on an error that allowed Pommier to score. A ground out and a fly out ended things.

Brandon took a 2-1 lead in the fifth. After Jack Hubbard flied out, Kamren Gittens doubled and Nico Saladino singled. Tyrek Ball got on with a fielder’s choice, and an error allowed Gittens to come home.

The Eagles extended their lead in the sixth with two outs. Pinch-hitter Bobby Turkett singled to right to score Flynn, who got on with a walk.

Biller, Velez, Turkett, Gittens and Saladino finished with hits for Brandon, which is on a four-game winning streak and has won seven of its past eight.

Venice is on a five-game streak and has won 10 of its past 11.

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