Benner Magnificent

Junior Jeremy Benner took care of business on the mound and at the plate in leading St Anne's-Belfield to a 6-0 win over Flint Hill in the D1 semi-final game at Shepard Stadium in Colonial Heights. The win sends the Saints to the championship game where they will face Liberty Christian Academy. The teams faced each other earlier in the year.

Benner was magnificent throwing a 2-hit shutout while striking out three. He forced eight ground ball outs by mixing his pitches.

"He was spectacular," St Anne's-Belfield head coach Alan Swanson said. "He changed speeds, he threw strikes, he worked quickly...he did everything you want your pitcher to do."

Benner also helped his own cause with a 2-run double in the 2nd inning. His sacrifice bunt assisted another scoring opportunity in the 6th inning. "The second pitch was a fastball down the middle and I just gave it a ride," Benner said.

The Saints jumped on Flint Hill starter Christian Tailor for four runs in the first two innings. Catcher Jake Allen led off the game with a double and scored on a grounder by freshman Tanner Morris. Wes Battle started the second inning with single and later scored on a wild pitch. Battle finished 3 of 4 from the plate while Allen went 2 of 3 with an RBI. Benner's double chased Tailor off the mound.

Flint Hill's best chance for a run started with a hit batter and a walk to start the sixth inning. University of Virginia recruit Tommy Doyle drilled a deep fly ball to left field but Doyle's future teammate Jalen Harrison made the catch at the warning track.