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Venice Comes Back Late To Defeat Sarasota

March 4, 2016

By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

In the first matchup of the season between rivals Venice and Sarasota, Venice was able to come away with the 8-5 victory at home. In a game that was highlighted by sloppy play on both sides—errors, wild pitches, and balks—it was the Indians who were able to pull in the reins and go on a 6-0 run in the last three innings to come back and win.

The action began right away as Sarasota jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. 2017 catcher Cole Madden drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to center field and 2016 RHP/INF Nick Long (Florida commit) drove in the second run with a single through the 5-6 hole. Venice, however, was able to respond with two runs of their own as 2018 INF Mitch Donofrio launched an RBI triple off the center field wall and 2016 2B Scott Dubrule (Jacksonville commit) lined an RBI single to center.

In the top of the second, the Sailors started off the inning with a deep double to left-center field off the bat of 2016 C/UTL Grant Horowitz. From there, Sarasota took advantage of walks, wild pitches, and an RBI single from 2016 SS Nick Derr (Florida State commit). After a scoreless bottom half, it looked like Sarasota was going to cruise to a victory.

The momentum that Sarasota was carrying began to swing to the side of Venice when 2016 OF/LHP Brent Killam came in from center field and silenced the Sailors’ bats in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. The Indians began to chip away at their three run deficit when Dubrule tripled to right-center and scored on a wild pitch. Venice trailed 5-3 heading into the sixth inning.

After Killam produced his fourth scoreless frame in a row, Venice was able to explode for five runs in the bottom of the sixth. After a couple of singles and a walk, 2018 INF/RHP Joe Kinker roped a bases loaded-single to left for an RBI and 2016 1B/RHP Rylee Buckmaster (St. Petersburg College commit) was able to follow suit with a sacrifice fly to center field. With one out and the score now being 5-5, Donofrio was able to come up big again for the Indians as he was able to put the ball in play with the bases loaded and force an error that brought in all three runs.

Leading 8-5 in the top of the seventh, 2017 OF/RHP Kyle Bachle was able to come in and close the door for Venice and give them the win.

Top Statistical Performers

Venice
Brent Killam: 4 IP, 0 runs, 3 Ks
Mitch Donofrio: 2-4, 3B, 2 RBIs
Scott Dubrule: 2-4, 3B, RBI