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On the depth chart, he's the Bullets No. 3 starting pitcher, but on Tuesday, Williamsville's Sam Fanale pitched like an ace. The senior took a no hitter into the sixth inning of a 3-2 Williamsville win over St. Joseph Ogden in the 2A LLCC Supersectional. The win propels the Bullets to their third state tournament in school history, and their first since 2005.
While Fanale kept Spartans hitters off balance, the Bullets were causing fits for SJO starter, EIU commit Cole Berry. Williamsville drew five walks and two hit batsmen against the Spartan senior. Luke Bleyer drove in the first run of the game with an infield single in the top of the third. The Bullets got two more in the top of the fifth as Berry walked in one with the bases loaded and immediately pushed another across when he hit Fanale with a pitch.
The Spartans opened the bottom of the sixth with their first two hits of the game. Chase Gadau eventually drove in the first to SJO runs, but he was cut down attempting to turn that hit into a double. Fanale was able to escape the frame with a 3-2 lead and he handed the ball off to Luke Bleyer who pitched a perfect seventh for the win.
Williamsville will play Teutopolis on Friday at 5PM at Dozer Park in Peoria. Teutopolis beat Williamsville 6-4 in comeback fashion on May 18th.
