Venice Takes Down Douglas 4-1 In Road Test

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The #9 Venice Indians have been known through the years of stacking their schedule against some of the top competition in the state. On Wednesday, that was on display again as Venice went on the road, all the way to South Florida, to take on the #2 team in the state, the Douglas Eagles.

The Indians matched the Eagles intensity all game long, and scored three runs in the top of the seventh to pick up a 4-1 victory.

“We always like to play against the best teams we can find, and coming down here we scheduled what we knew was one of the area’s best,” said Indians Manager Craig Faulkner. “I was pleased with the way we played today, and it’s always a big win when your on the road against a well-known team.”

Senior left-hander Caleb Williams was saddled with the task of heading to the mound against one of the top teams in the state, and he performed masterfully through five innings. Williams scattered three hits, allowing only one unearned run before handing the ball off to reliever Brant Brown with two on and nobody out in the sixth.

Brown promptly enduced a popped up bunt from clean-up hitter Max Miednik, struck out David Vazquez, and watched as catcher Mac Guscette picked off pinch-runner Garrett Knoble, ending the jam, and keeping the game 1-1.

“I knew I was going to be coming in relief today,” said Brown. “My focus was to just come in throwing both my fastball and off-speed pitches for strikes. I knew after the strikeout that we had a good chance of getting out of the inning without giving up any runs.”

From there, the Indians offense took over. Kevin Dubrule reached on an error leading off the seventh. Joe Kinkler dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt, and both runners were safe when catcher Chad McDaniels chose to try and throw Dubrule out at second.

Shane Shifflet then singled, loading the bases, and Mitch Donofrio gave Venice a 2-1 lead with a single of his own. Guscette then delivered the big blow of the game, a two-run double to deep center.

Asked about his team’s ability to play fundamental baseball, starting with his three-hole hitter Kinkler dropping a sacrifice bunt, Faulkner was quick to answer.

“We pride ourselves on doing the little things it takes to win ballgames,” said Faulkner. “We work all the time on fundamentals, especially at the plate, having good at-bats, and we were able to execute there in the seventh.”

From there, all that was left was for the Indians to retire the Eagles in order in the seventh, and the three-game South Florida road trip was off to a strong start.

The win against Douglas is sure to jump Venice in next week’s rankings, while also delivering a message that they too, are a traditional powerhouse.

“A win like this is big for us,” said Williams. “Coming into an atmosphere we aren’t really sure of and being able to play a solid game, it feels good.”

Up next for the Indians will be an introduction to the raucous atmosphere in Key West, a place Venice has never played.

“We’ve never played down there, but I’ve heard how you have to be pretty thick-skinned to play down there,” said Faulkner. “I am expecting it to be a great atmosphere for baseball, and hopefully we will respond to the challenge like we did here. It will be a good experience for the team, and that is what we shoot for on these trips we take each year.”

Venice will play two games in Key West, and then will head back for the Sarasota Classic tournament starting on March 20th.

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