He closed out the seventh to preserve a first round win over Paul VI, and on three days rest, Jeremy Benner spun a gem. With the junior on the mound, St. Anne’s-Belfield’s baseball team pulled off yet another upset to work its way into the VISAA Division I championship game as Brenner was brilliant in a 3-hit complete game win over Flint Hill, leading the way to a 6-0 victory.
The Saints provided early run support for the starter, getting a run in the first and then three runs in the second to take a 4-0 lead. The score stayed there until the top of the sixth when STAB tacked on two more runs to provide more than enough cushion to wrap up the win.
On the night, Benner gave up just two hits and two walks while striking out three batters on just 77 pitches, 45 of them coming for strikes. Benner gave up just five total bases with the biggest threat being a double.
Offensively, the Saints piled up nine hits and got doubles from Jake Allen, Nic Kent and Benner. Allen, Kent and Tanner Morris each had an RBI. Benner finished with two RBI. Wes Battle was 3 for 4 with a run scored. Allen finished 2 for 3.
STAB will face top-seeded Liberty Christian in the final. The Bulldogs topped Norfolk Academy 6-1 in their semifinal and are playing for their first ever state championship. The game will be played today at 6 p.m. at Sheperd Stadium in Colonial Heights.