THE ZANE REPORT: Viera Hawks Keep Season Alive After Win Over Martin County, Merritt Island Falls Short vs Belen Jesuit
By Zane Garcia, Space Coast Daily // May 2, 2025
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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Viera Hawks defeated Martin County in Game 2 (11-1), forcing a winner-takes-all Game 3 on Saturday.
Merritt Island traveled down south to Belen Jesuit for a rubber match, where Belen Jesuit defeated their second Brevard County opponent in a row, the first being Eau Gallie.
Viera Hawks
With their backs against the wall, Viera answered the call. Junior Blaine Werkeiser was on the mound for the Hawks and pitched a gem, while his teammates got the bats going. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, captain Dominic Leoni took a fastball to the back, sending a run home. Centerfielder Carter Lee then stepped to the plate and blasted a ball to the right-field wall, scoring two. The Hawks went up 3-0 early.
The Tigers managed to get a run back as Frankie Brancaleone’s sacrifice fly put Martin County within two. However, the bats of Viera stayed hot, and Zak Al-Arashi smashed a fastball to the left-field alley, scoring a run. In the next half inning, Martin County was unable to answer.
The bottom of the fourth spelled trouble for the Tigers as Aiden Cameron, Brady Jensen, Dominic Leoni, and Carter Lee all filled the stat sheet with RBIs, leading to a seven-run half inning for the Hawks. Now up 11-1, the Tigers had one last chance at rallying back, but Werkeiser sent them packing.
Viera will now travel down to Stuart to face Martin County in a Game 3 finale, with the winner moving on to the Regional Finals. Game 3 is set for 7 P.M. Saturday evening at Martin County High School.
Merritt Island Mustangs
Merritt Island heroically forced a Game 3 against Belen Jesuit Tuesday night as Braeden Rouleau’s walk-off sent the Mustangs to Miami. However, Belen Jesuit, coming off a 2-1 series victory over Eau Gallie, won another rubber match, this time over the Mustangs on Thursday.
An all-around pitcher’s duel kept the game close throughout, but the Mustangs could not find any rhythm at the plate. Only mustering three hits on the night, the stellar pitching of Belen Jesuit will send them to the Regional Finals, where they will meet No. 1 seed American Heritage.
The Mustangs finish the season at 24-8 and will look forward to next spring.
With Merritt Island eliminated, Viera remains the only Brevard County team left in the FHSAA Playoffs.
