2025 National High School Invitational
Venice High Captures First NHSI Title with Walk-Off Victory
CARY, N.C. – In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 National High School Invitational (NHSI), Venice High School (Venice, Fla.) earned its first tournament championship with a dramatic 3-2 walk-off win over Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.) on Saturday afternoon at Coleman Field. The event was presented by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance and Netting Pros.
The walk-off hit, a line drive up the middle by Carter Cox in the bottom of the seventh, marked the first of its kind in an NHSI title game since the tournament’s inception in 2012. It sealed a remarkable comeback for Venice, who rallied from an early 2-0 deficit.
“Today was a battle. We struggled early, but our team stayed composed and found a way to win,” said Venice head coach Craig Faulkner. “I’m incredibly proud of these guys and the way they competed.”
After Trinity Christian opened the game with two runs in the top of the first, Venice responded with a run in the bottom half and later tied the game in the fourth. In the decisive seventh inning, Brodie Whitlock led off with a single, advanced to third on consecutive passed balls, and scored the game-winning run on Cox’s clutch base hit.
Kohen Poplin, who was named Tournament MVP, delivered a standout performance in relief. He pitched 4.2 hitless innings, striking out four and stabilizing the game after Venice’s starter was chased early. August Backman earned the win in relief, while Trinity’s Reali took the loss despite a strong six-inning effort, allowing just three runs (two earned).
Venice’s offensive contributions were led by David Dubrule and Whitlock, who each tallied two hits. The Indians recorded seven hits as a team. Trinity was held to four singles, with Jordan Martinez reaching base twice and scoring once.
This championship marks Venice’s first NHSI title in three appearances at the tournament and makes them the third Florida program to win the prestigious national event. With the victory, the team improves to 8-4 all-time in NHSI play.
Following the championship game, USA Baseball announced the 2025 NHSI All-Tournament Team, featuring top performers from across the 16-team field:
2025 NHSI All-Tournament Team
• Ryne Barker – Casteel – INF/P
• Trey Ebel – Corona – 2B/3B
• Ryan Harwood – Casteel – OF/P
• Seth Hernandez – Corona – UTL
• Ben Jacobus – Corona del Sol – OF
• Jackson Lucas – Venice – UTL
• Kasen Poplin – Venice – P/3B
• MVP: Kohen Poplin – Venice – P/INF
• Ethan Porter – Huntington Beach – INF/P
• Dayan Viciedo – Christopher Columbus – SS/P
• Peyton Richards – Granada – OF
• Ethan Wheeler – Trinity Christian – P/OF
• Anthony Zezza – Holly Springs – P/O
