Division I State Semifinal: No. 40 North Royalton vs Gahanna Lincoln

By Dylan Hefflinger
Managing Editor/NW Scout 

COLUMBUS, OH – In a battle of teams that have not been to state many times North Royalton (first trip) and Gahanna Lincoln (second trip, 2013), the Bears senior Frank Frate (Walsh U. commit, pictured right) combined with Alex Sir Lewis on a three hit shutout in a 3-0 win.

The Bears didn't take long to get on the scoreboard in their first trip to the State Final Four, scoring one in the first.

Bryan Bielak reached on a fielder's choice after senior Nate Kocan reached via an error. Evan Willmann reached thanks to another error by the Golden Lions.

With two on, senior Dominick Piccini singled to center scoring Bielak to put the Bears on top 1-0.

In the third, junior Garrett Strom drew a leadoff walk, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kocan. Bielak singled up the middle to score Strom (pictured below) to put North Royalton up 2-0.
 

The Bears got an insurance run in the fifth as Kocan got a two out single and scored on a Bielak double to right center. 

Gahanna Lincoln's best scoring opportunities came in the third and sixth.

In the third, the Golden Lions got two runners on with two outs with University of Kentucky commit Evan White up at the plate. White drove a shot to center that went about 390 feet that Strom tracked down.

In the sixth, White singled to left and Doland Martin walked to put two on with one out but a ground out and line out and the Golden Lions were unable to get on the scoreboard.

Top Performers:

• Frank Frante, went six innings allowing just three hits and four walks while striking out two.
• Bryan Bielak, had a single, double, two RBIs and a run scored.
• Dominick Pissini, had two singles and an RBI.