Late rally propels Venice by Vero Beach, into Class 7A baseball title game
The Indians scored three runs in the sixth to rally past Vero Beach, 4-2, in an FHSAA Class 7A baseball state semifinal on May 15, 2026.
It wasn’t a conventional way to make it to the championship game, but the Venice Indians did it. In a game that saw a run scored on a balk, an umpire showing a pitcher how to pitch from the stretch, and a sacrifice fly in foul territory, Venice topped Vero Beach, 4-2, in a come-from-behind state semifinal win. The Indians (32-1) will face the winner of Hagerty-Stoneman Douglas winner at Hammond Stadium near Fort Myers for the FHSAA Class 7A Championship on Saturday at 5 p.
m. Pitcher Carter Cox struck out 8 batters, in the process breaking the school’s single-season strikeout record, which had been set by Arnold Hughey 25 years ago. Cox’s total is now 125.
“He’s no doubt one of the best pitchers to ever pitch at Venice High School, and we’ve had some great ones.... ” Venice coach Craig Faulkner said. “Carter’s right there with them, and everything he does — listen, no one works harder than he does.
” Venice had been leading 1-0 for two and a half innings with Cox cruising when fielding gremlins decided to play some mischief in the top of the sixth. With a runner on first, Vero Beach’s Nate Downy pushed a bunt past charging third baseman Maddox Volk. Then Dom Lopez bunted.