VENICE — On Wednesday, Venice baseball picked up its 10th shutout win of the season, keeping Out-of-Door Academy off the scoreboard in a 5-0 victory over the Thunder.
“ODA is a team we enjoy playing, because they are a good program that’s coached very well,” Venice head coach Craig Faulkner said. “They’re capable of beating really good teams, and I think (Jackson) Lucas did a great job on the mound for us. He’ll always give us a chance to win.”
Lucas commanded the mound for Venice, allowing just six hits and no runs, while striking out eight batters. He had solid control throughout, managing no walks during his outing as well.
The lefty allowed four hits within the first two innings. During the final four, he allowed only two, while picking up five of his eight punch outs during those frames.
In relief, Kane Judson (.2 IP) and Keagen O’Brien (.1 IP) both closed out the game in the seventh.
In the batter’s box, Venice got three of its five RBIs from the team’s top hitter in Jon Embury.
Embury’s first RBI came in the bottom of the first on a double to left that brought home Brady Schumaker from second.
With the Indians (21-3) ahead 2-0 — following a sacrifice fly from Lucas later in the bottom of the first — Embury’s second and third RBIs pushed Venice ahead by four in the bottom of the third.
On a 2-1 pitch from ODA starter Cam Yates, Embury laced his second double of the game to the gap in left center, scoring Schumaker and David Dubrule to multiply the Venice advantage.
“Jon hit so well (Wednesday),” Faulkner said. “He really went down in the strike zone and got some balls that were tough to reach, and he put them in play. Anytime you get a senior hitting like that, it’s big for your team.”
Venice’s final run of the contest came on a sac fly by Jonathan Mauro that scored Evan Ellsworth from third during the sixth inning — his second run of the game.
The Indians have now won four in a row after uncharacteristically dropping two of three.
On Senior Night on Thursday, Venice will look to bump its winning streak to five, when it closes out the regular season at home against Cardinal Mooney (11-10-1).
“I like the way our guys are playing right now,” Faulkner said. “We’re looking forward to facing Cardinal Mooney, who has beat some really good teams. They have a strong pitcher in Mateu Dalmau that’ll challenge us.
“I’m excited to get the chance to celebrate the five seniors we have in the program right now as well. They’re big-time leaders for us. It’s truly been one of the biggest keys to the success we’ve had so far this year. They are great motivators, and they pay attention to all of the little things when it comes to our team.”
With districts starting next week, the Indians will be the No. 1 seed and will host throughout. They’ll also get a first-round bye.
Currently holding the No. 4 overall ranking in the FHSAA baseball rankings, the Indians are right on the doorstep of a No. 1 seed in regional play as well.
A strong showing during district play should accomplish that goal.
“It was a big goal of ours to be the top seed in the district,” Faulkner said. “We were able to accomplish that, and now we’re hoping to get that one seed in the region, so everybody will have to come to us. We’re right there with Winderemere (No. 11), and I think we’re in good shape if we just continue to win.”
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