Williams Pitches Venice Past Naples In 7A Semifinal

Caleb Williams delivered another gem and Venice rode a big sixth inning to defeat Naples 6-0 on Tuesday in a 7A regional semifinal. The Indians (24-5), who won a state title in 6A last year, advance to a regional final Tuesday against Brandon (21-6).

Williams struck out 10, allowed two hits and walked one on 87 pitches to guide the Indians.

“Caleb Williams had a great game tonight,” Venice manager Craig Faulkner said. “He filled the zone with strikes. He threw his fastball very well inside and out, had a great curveball and change. Caleb is a competitor on the mound and refuses to give up 90 feet.”

Venice poured out its offensive heart in the sixth, scoring all of its runs in that one inning. Shane Shifflett singled to center to lead things off and then went to second on pinch-hitter Jake Stark’s sacrifice. Trevor Holloway followed with a single, and Rylee Buckmaster’s line-drive single to center scored Shifflett. Tyler Gardner followed with a line-drive single to right, and Brent Killam added a base hit to bring in pinch-runner Kyle Bachle and pinch-runner Andrew Thomas. The hitting continued as Scott Dubrule singled to right, and Mitch Donofrio drilled a double to left to score Killam and Dubrule.

“The runs were scored in the sixth were a team effort,” Faulkner said. “Jake Starch put down a great sacrifice bunt, Rylee Buckmaster clutched up with a big, two-strike RBI, and Brent Killam ‘seniored-up’ with a big hit to score two more runs.”

Both Brandon and Venice have good momentum heading into Tuesday’s game. Brandon is on a four-game winning streak and has won seven of its past eight, while Venice is on a five-game streak and has won 10 of its past 11 contests.

“We travel to Brandon and we anticipate facing one of the best pitchers in that area,” Faulkner said. “It should be a great game to watch.”

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