CARY, N.C. - On the second day of the 2018 10U Futures Invitational, Team Miami and Victory Braves went head-to-head in Friday's Game of the Day. The Victory Braves came away with the 2-0 victory in the contest to advance to Saturday's semifinals.
The Victory Braves jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the second and never looked back.
Back-to-back one-out singles put two runners on for Victor Cardona who came through with a RBI double to give the Victory Braves a 1-0 lead. That score would stand until the bottom of the fourth when the team added an insurance run.
Three singles started the inning for the Victory Braves to load the bases before Cardona came up clutch for a second time. He reached on a fielder's choice to the shortstop that allowed one run to cross for a 2-0 Victory Braves lead.
Down to its final three outs in the bottom of the sixth, Team Miami started a rally with a leadoff single and a walk to bring the go-ahead run to the plate with one out. The Victory Braves were able to hold on though, getting a strikeout and a pop out to end the threat and the game.
Lincoln Hamm went five scoreless innings in his start for the Victory Braves, giving up just three hits and one walk while striking out five. On the offensive side, Diego Velasquez was also strong, finishing 2-for-2 with a run scored.
For Team Miami, Jonathan Matos, Alexander Cruz and Francis Garcia all collected hits.
The 2018 10U Futures Invitational continues on Saturday with semifinal and consolation game action. With the win, the Victory Braves claimed a spot in the semis and will play Wilson Sandlot at 10:15 a.m. ET on Saturday at Thomas Brooks Field 7. Team Miami will matchup against the Jupiter Hammerheads on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET on Thomas Brooks Field 6.