Update: Eagles Bow to Venice in State Baseball Title Final

Updated: Venice defeated Brandon 4-2 in the Class 7A state championship; recount the action via a live chat, TBO.com blog, by Tampa Tribune prep writer Rick Harmon.

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Game on today for the Eagles as they face the prospects of bringing back to Brandon High the 98-year-old school’s first-ever state baseball crown.

En route to today’s championship game against the Venice Indians (20-8), the Brandon High Eagles (18-11) beat Haines City (1-0), Riverview (2-1), Osecola (3-2) and New Smyrna Beach (7-4).

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 7A championship game is scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m. at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie. Brandon is considered the host team. (Update: Rain caused a delay opening, with the first pitch at 4:53 p.m., according to a live chat, TBO.com blog entry.)

• FHSAA is providing live streaming of the game. As of

"In the 98-year history of Brandon High, the Eagles have only reached the title game twice (1990, 1995),” according to a report in the Tampa Bay Times.

Also competing in the Class 7A bracket were Hillsborough County’s Riverview, Gaither and Freedom high schools. Riverview bowed to Brandon in the regional semifinals (1-2). Gaither lost to Venice in the regional finals (0-2) and Freedom lost to Seminole in the regional quarterfinals (1-6).

Brackets for state competition across all eight class levels is posted online.

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RELATED COVERAGE:

• Game coverage from TBO.com, Brandon Advances to Baseball State Final.

• Game coverage from the Tampa Bay Times, Brandon High Reaches State Baseball Final

• From the Tampa Bay Times, Brandon Players Rely on Strong Bond