Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

LHP Josh Kinker

Team: Venice
Preseason Rank: 8
2018 Record: 24-8
FHSAA Class: 7A
Head Coach: Criag Faulkner
Playoff Run: State Champion
Returning Starters: 10

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Clayton Callan, OF, 2019 (FGCU)
Kevin Dubrule, MIF, 2019 (Army)
Mac Guscette, C, 2020 (Florida)
Orion Kerkering, RHP, 2019 (USF)
Josh Kinker, LHP, 2019
Michael Robertson, OF, 2021 (Florida)
Danny Rodriguez, OF/RHP, 2019 (FGCU)

X-FACTOR
Mac Guscette. The junior catcher led the team in 2018 with a .368 average and 23 RBIs. Guscette will look to lead the offense and control the staff from behind the plate.  

KEY PLAYERS LOST

Brant Brown
Mitch Donofrio
Reese Jackowiak
Joey Kinker

OUTLOOK
Coming off of a 7A state title run, the Indians return their top hitter and top three pitchers while adding some young talent. Mac Guscette led the team in both average at .368 and RBIs with 23 in 2018. Kerkering, Rodriguez and Callan return on the mound and combined for 19 of the teams wins in 2018. Kerkering led the team with 8 wins and struck out 109 batters in 81 innings. Senior Kevin Dubrule returns to the middle of the order after batting .302 in 2018 and will be bolster by sophomore Robertson who batted .299 as a freshman. Venice has depth in talent and is experienced in the playoffs which has them primed for another run in 2019.

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