Viera, Land O'Lakes overcome odds to play Tuesday for FHSAA state baseball appearance
Viera High will reach the Class 6A state semifinal round of the FHSAA baseball tournament with a win Tuesday at USSSA Space Coast Stadium.
The Hawks, 22-5 and the second seed in Region 2-6A, host fourth-seeded Land O’Lakes at 7 p.m.
The Gators are 23-6 and come in off a game similiar to the one won by Viera, 7-6 over Lake Minneola, on Saturday night. Land O’Lakes beat the top seed, George Jenkins, 9-7.
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The Gators led until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Jenkins scored four runs to take a 7-4 lead. Needing four to win in the final inning, Land O’Lakes scored five. In four postseason games, including its district tournament, the team has scored 41 runs.
The Hawks, winners of eight games in a row, can return to the state tournament with a win. They lost to Fleming Island in a state semifinal in 2021. The state tournament is again in Ft. Myers. The 6A semis are May 23 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Land O'Lakes hasn't lost since April 12, winning 10 games since. Last year's Gators team made a first-game exit from regional competition. They are led at the plate by senior outfielder J.P. Pennella, who hits .439, has driven in 31 runs and hit five home runs. Senior third baseman Braden Durfee hits .390 with 38 RBIs and three homers.
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The Gators used six pitchers against George Jenkins on Saturday. They have seven on the roster with 15 or more strikeouts this season.
Viera senior catcher Alex Sosa, who got Saturday's comeback started with a two-run double, hits .468 with 25 runs batted in and three homers. Junior pitcher Dylan Jordan (5-2) has a 0.49 earned run average with 77 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings. He has allowed just three earned runs.
Two Brevard County high school softball teams will play Tuesday. Viera faces Melbourne for the third time this season in a 6A regional semifinal. Each team has beaten the other once this year. In a 5A regional semi, Bayside visits South Fork, the top seed in Region 4.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Viera High in FHSAA Class 6A regional baseball final
