Antonio Velez continued in his starring role for the Brandon Eagles this season, throwing a complete game 8-inning shutout and hitting the game-winning walk-off RBI single to win the Eagles' 7A Region 3 Quarterfinal game 1-0 over Mitchell.

 

In what was expected to be a pitchers duel, Velez (USF signee) and Mustangs sophomore Jakob Mattos did not disappoint.  Velez held Mitchell to five hits and struck out eight, upping his Bay Area-leading strikeout total to 141 this season, while Mattos limited Brandon to six hits and struck out six.

 

There were limited opportunities for both teams, as the pitching and defense made it difficult to string together any kind of rally.  Mitchell advanced just one runner past second base, as Kyle Blakeney was at third base in the top of the fourth before Velez induced an inning-ending groundout from Kyle Frick.  Brandon also threatened in the fourth, as Luis Casanas (2-for-3 on the night) moved to within 90 feet of home, but Mattos struck out Kamren Gittens to get out of the jam.

 

Finally in the bottom of the 8th, Brandon was able to cobble together enough plays to score.  Tyrek Ball was hit by a pitch, Teddy Flynn laid down a sacrifice bunt and Ball advanced to third on Jerry Biller's groundout.  That set the stage for Velez, and the senior came through with a grounder past the second baseman and into right field.

 

Velez improves to 9-2 this season and records his 26th career victory for the Eagles, as Brandon (20-6) wins their first playoff game since the 2012 season when they finished as state runner-up.  They will host Northeast in a 7A Region 3 Semifinal on May 3.

 

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