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By: Bruce Bosley
PBR New England Scout

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Vermont Spotlight Game: No. 6 Burlington vs No. 3 Champlain Valley

HINESBURG, Vt.— Sixth-seeded Burlington overcame an early deficit and then held off a late charge to upset third-seeded Champlain Valley, 10-8, in the quarterfinals of the Vermont Division I State Baseball Championship. The Seahorses (14-4) move on to the semifinals to take on second-seeded Burr and Burton Wednesday in Manchester, BHS’s first trip to the semis in 10 years.

Senior Patrick Brennan led the Burlington charge at the plate and on the mound. Trailing 4-0 in the top of the third, Brennan's leadoff double started a five-run outburst before coming on in relief to shut down the Redhawks allowing one earned run from the bottom of the third on.

A two-run single by senior Hunter Anderson highlighted Champlain Valley's four-run second inning before Burlington rallied in the top of the third. Sophomore Saul Minaya and junior Eli Pine had RBI-singles as Burlington jumped on top 5-4. Junior Liam Reiner doubled to lead the fourth for the Redhawks and coasted home on a long two-run homer to left by Union-bound senior Chris O'Brien.

Brennan came in to shut the door that inning aided by an inning-ending double play turned by BHS sophomore shortstop Donovan Montgomery. The Seahorses responded in the top of the fourth on a two-run double by senior Eden Forbes to take a 7-6 lead.

Burlington added another in the sixth on Saul Minaya's RBI double and a two-run single by Montgomery made it 10-6 heading into the top of the seventh. CVU scored twice with two outs, the olny runs allowed by Brennan before he retired the final out.

Burlington rapped out 11 hits on the day including the three doubles while the Redhawks had 10 with O'Brien's homer the lone extra base hit. CVU finishes its season 13-4.

Top Performers

Burlington:

• Patrick Brennan (2017, 1B/RHP): Went 2-for-3 with a double and hurled five innings of relief to pick up the victory. Allowed four hits, walked two, struck out two and only one of the two runs was earned. 
• Saul Minaya (2019, RHP): Went three-for-four with a double, scoring twice and two RBI.
• Eden Forbes (2017, OF): Went 2-for-3 with a walk. scored twice and drove in three runs, two with a double that gave the Seahorses a 7-6 lead in the fourth.
• Donovan Montgomery (2019, SS): Lone hit was a clutch two-run single in the top of the seventh; Also made two run saving defensive plays, one starting a nifty double play to snuff out a third inning rally.

Champlain Valley:

• Chris O'Brien (2017, 1B): Went 2-for-3 with a walk and scored three times. One of hits was along two-run homer to left field. Headed to Union (N.Y.) this fall.
• Jacob Bortnick (2018, C): went 2-for-4, scored twice and drove in a run.
• Collin Vincent (2018, SS): Reached twice in four trips with a walk, single. Also stole a base and was solid in the infield. Heading to Berkshire (Mass.) School next year, reclassifying as a 2019.