The toughest thing to deal with in high school sports, or any sport for that matter, is the fact that there can only be one champion in each sport, so obviously that means that a good majority of team's seasons will end in a loss and disappointment.
Unfortunately, that was the case on Memorial Day for the 2016 version of Millerball. Entering Class 4A Sectional 8 play on their home turf of The Dunk, the Noblesville Millers had won 13 consecutive baseball games and were considered to be one of the hotter teams in the state of Indiana.
They got the draw that they wanted in a) drawing the Carmel Greyhounds for a rematch to hopefully avenge their 11-1 loss back on April 23rd and b) drawing the bye-game, which would set them up to only have to win twice to be crowned sectional champions.
Crazy 5th inning dooms Millers, ends season in sectional semifinals
4A #10 Carmel 5, 4A #5 Noblesville 4 - at The Dunk (Monday, May 30, 2016)
Noblesville Millers 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 - 4 3 1
Carmel Greyhounds 0 0 0 1 4 0 x - 5 8 1
This was the matchup that was anticipated from the day the sectional was drawn. The Millers were aiming for revenge to try and avenge their home loss to the Greyhounds from five weeks prior, but it would be a tall order.
Cory Conway got started off the way that he wanted to, striking out leadoff hitter Pete Lamagna looking to get the Miller faithful cheering from the get-go. For the most part, the defense helped as much as possible, only stranding Rhett Wintner on first after he reached with an infield single with two outs.
Tommy Sommer got his chance to face the Noblesville lineup another time and it would be a lot tougher to fool the Miller hitters than it was back in April.
For the first four innings, it was a pitcher's duel between Conway and Sommer.
Carmel got on the scoreboard and broke the 0-0 tie with a towering solo home run by DH Sam Micheels to give the Greyhounds a 1-0 edge through four.
This gave Noblesville a little motivation and the bottom of the Millers' order got their bats going in the top of the 5th.
Ty Lindstrand flied out to right to lead off the inning, getting ahold of a 3-2 Sommer pitch, but it wasn't far enough, putting the first out on the board. Austin Shirley was hit by a pitch and moved to second on an Alex Cleverly single to left. Harris Camp started the Millers' scoring spree with an RBI single in the right center gap to score Shirley to tie the game 1-1.
Cleverly's courtesy runner Neil Brown and Camp would score on would score when Travis Gillian reached on an error by Jack Van Remortal at third for a 3-1 Miller lead. Michael Carmosino hit a long fly ball to center for a sacrifice fly, scoring Gillian, giving Noblesville a 4-1.
The Greyhounds struck back in a big way, unfortunately. Jarrod Moon slapped a base hit to right to lead off the last of the 5th. Two batters later, Parker Massman got on with an infield single for two on and one out. Wintner was walked by Conway in an eight pitch at-bat to load the bases. Micheels reached on an error by Conway, scoring Moon and Massman to cut the Miller lead to 4-3.
Wintner scored to tie the game 4-4 on a wild pitch from Conway that got away from Cleverly. Van Remortal hit a sacrifice fly to Shirley in right that would score Micheels for the go-ahead run for a 5-4 Carmel lead.
Conway would be relieved to start the 7th by fellow senior pitcher Clayton Marowski. Mouse gave up a pair of one-out singles, but also struck out two Greyhounds in his effort to keep Carmel from scoring more.
The Millers weren't able to muster up any more hits in the 6th and 7th innings as they would go down in order in their final two at-bats, coming up on the short end of a 5-4 decision to county rival Carmel.
The hardest thing about seeing a loss like this unfold was that a team like the Noblesville Millers worked so hard to put together the season that they have just comes to a screeching halt.
It's even harder seeing that Cory Conway, Connor Christman, Michael Carmosino, Austin Shirley, Ty Lindstrand, Clayton Marowski, Julian Simac, Neil Brown and Nolan Vallier will never don the Noblesville Millers' black and gold again on the baseball diamond.
Those nine graduating senior players, along with Manager Sarah Knight and Trainer Ashley Higgins have put a tremendous amount of time, skill, effort, character and heart into being Millers throughout their 4-year careers.
I would like to personally thank them for all that they have done by being the best players, student manager and student trainer that we could ask out of our student-athletes.
The biggest plus to this group is that they were a part of something very special in that magical 4A state tournament run 2 years ago, capping it off being crowned State Champions! They also won 2 Hoosier Crossroads Conference championships in the past three years 2014 and 2016.
Overall during their 4-year span on varsity, they compiled an 88-37 record (.704), a 49-21 HCC record (.705), 43-18 (.705) at home, 33-15 (.688) on the road and 12-4 (.750) at neutral sites, including 7-1 during the 2014 state championship season (4-0 during their state tournament run).
Congratulations Millerball seniors of the Class of 2016! I wish you the best in your future endeavors!
The Voice of Miller Baseball,
Craig Adkins
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
#9 Noblesville pitches lights out in sweep of Avon
There's just no quit in this baseball team and 12th-year head coach Justin Keever and his staff wouldn't have it any other way.
During their current 13-game winning streak, the diamond Millers have outscored those seven opponents by a whopping 80-20 margin, averaging 6.1 runs per game during this current stretch.
Those wins include four shutouts, two extra inning victories, two by the run-rule and eight of them winning by at least four runs or more.
The Hamilton Southeastern series was the closest of the season, but the Millers still almost doubled up the Royals with a 13-7 total in the 3-game set.
The Millers were pretty much dominant on the scoreboard in the Brownsburg and Avon series, taking down the Bulldogs (22-4) and Orioles (20-1) pretty handily in those two three-game series.
I could probably throw more stats at you, but I'll save those for a later date, because to be honest, the Millers have a lot of work to do first before their story is finished.
Back to the lecture at hand...the sweeping of the Avon Orioles...
GAME 1: Millers work quick, beat Avon by 10
4A #9 Noblesville 11, Avon 1 (5 innings) - at Avon (Wednesday May 18, 2016)
Millers 0 1 0 4 6 - 11 14 1
Orioles 0 1 0 0 0 - 1 2 3
The second to last road game of the regular season couldn't have gone any better than it did, especially for starting pitcher Clayton Marowski.
With the offense clicking on all cylinders of late, it made it just that much easier for Mouse to stay focused and get he job done on the mound.
After a scoreless first from both sides, the bottom third of the batting order got the bats going for Noblesville.
Austin Shirley walked with one out and moved to second on Alex Cleverly's base hit to left. Two batters later at the top of the order, Travis Gillian singled to center to drive Shirley home for an early 1-0 Miller advantage.
Avon struck back in the bottom of the 2nd. Spencer Strobel lined a leadoff single to right. Wendell Mosteller walked to give the Orioles two on and nobody out. Jack Hart grounded to Michael Carmosino. The Miller second baseman stepped on second and threw over to first for the double play, but that gave Strobel enough time to score to knot the game at 1-1.
The Millers found a solid opportunity to put some runs on the board and do it quickly. They did so with Shirley leading off with a walk. The senior right-fielder would be forced out at second on a Cleverly fielder's choice. Neil Brown came in to run for the catcher Cleverly.
Nine-hole hitter Harris Camp knocked a base hit to center to get Brown to second with one down. Gillian grounded a single of his own to center, loading the bases still with one out.
Carmo grounded to short to load the bases again, scoring Gillian to break the tie and give the Millers a 2-1 edge and a lead they obviously wouldn't give back. Jackson Thurman sent another hit to center. Camp and Gillian touched home to make it 4-1. That got Carmosino to third and he would also head home for a four-run cushion at 5-1.
Ty Lindstrand got on base to start off the top of the 5th with an infield single. Austin Shirley was also able to beat out an infield single for a pair of runners on and no outs. Lindstrand stole third base and then scored on an error by Avon catcher Kahia'u Quartero to put Noblesville up a handful at 6-1.
Camp walked and Gillian sent a base hit to left that loaded the bases. Carmosino line his own hit to let to plate both Shirley and Camp for a touchdown lead (8-1). Bryce Masterson walked to load the bags (again). Sticking with the common theme that was working, Connor Christman smoked a grounder to second, plating Gillian, jumping the lead to 9-1 and the Millers weren't done yet.
Two more runs would find their way on the board when Carmosino and Julian Simac (Masterson's courtesy runner) both scored on Lindstrand's two-run single to center, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin, putting Avon away by ten in Game 1 of the series, 11-1.
Marowski was on a roll and completely in a zone of his own, sending down the Orioles in order in the 3rd through 5th innings to help seal the win and up his record on the mound to 6-1 and keep his ERA low at 1.65.
Clayton threw just 39 pitches (29 strikes) en route to cruising to the complete game victory. He fanned a pair of Avon hitters, walking one and giving up just two hits and an unearned run.
GAME 2: Conway K's 14, throws 3-hitter for series win over Avon
4A #9 Noblesville 8, Avon 0 - at The Dunk, Noblesville (Thurs. May 19, 2016)
Orioles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 2
Millers 5 2 0 0 1 0 x - 8 5 1
The Noblesville offense took off from where they left things at Avon on Wednesday night in their 11-1 rout of the Orioles and brought that momentum back to The Dunk.
Cory Conway was completely dialed in and in a zone of his own. The southpaw might have allowed Andrew Griffin on to start the game with an error by Lindstrand at first and walked DH Matt Moore, but struck out two of the five Oriole hitters in the 1st inning.
Travis Gillian took a 3-2 pitch from Spencer Strobel and found a spot for it in shallow left. Carmosino walked and Gillian was on the move to third for runners at the corners. Jackson Thurman grounded out to third and Gillian sprinted home for a quick 1-0 Noblesville lead.
Carmosino, along with Bryce Masterson and Connor Christman all would also score with Strobel on the mound, which chased the the junior after just 2/3 of an inning. Despite being relieved by Alex Ayler, Strobel was still responsible for the bases being loaded. Ayler walked Gillian to send in the fifth run of the 1st for the Millers and Strobel was charged with all five runs in the 5-0 bottom of one for Noblesville.
Much of the same happened in the last of the 2nd. Thurman walked to lead off the inning and was quickly tripled home from the bat of Masterson for a half dozen lead that would grow a little more. Ty Lindstrand reached on a fielder's choice and scored in the inning to make the score 7-0.
As Conway was mowing down the Avon hitters and carving his way up and down their lineup, it made things seem that much easier for the rest of the Millers. Striking out 14 in the game, Cory was averaging a pair of K's per inning in dominating the Orioles. Tossing 104 pitches (67 strikes) in a complete game, three-hit shutout in his final regular season home game as a senior, shows the Cory Conway that we're all used to seeing over the past few seasons and he's not even close to done yet!
The home half of the 6th was a moment that has been due for quite a while and it couldn't have come at a better time. Junior catcher Alex Cleverly torched a 2-2 Ayler pitch and sent it over the left field fence for a solo home run, the first of his varsity career! The solo shot from Clev turned out to be the final score of 8-0 and a 2-0 series lead.
GAME 3: Sharp not phased by lack of run support, 3-hits Avon for series sweep
4A #9 Noblesville 1, Avon 0 - at Avon (Friday, May 20, 2016)
Millers 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 - 1 4 1
Orioles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 1
In a game that was the final regular season tuneup for both Noblesville and Avon, both teams had something to prove and were out to try and make something happen before sectional play starts.
Noblesville had everything still on the table with the chance that Fishers could steal a game from Zionsville and help the Millers tie the Eagles at 15-3 in HCC play, making them co-champions. The Tigers did help out, beating Zville 6-1 on Saturday night, creating that tie Noblesville needed.
Reese Sharp was on the mound for the visiting Millers and Mitch Ubelhor for the host Orioles. By the looks of the first two games of the series, it was safe to say that Noblesville would keep out big bats and let their offense do the talking. The two starting pitchers had another thing in mind.
It was a pitcher's dual that wasn't expected at all, to say the least.
Scoreless through the first four innings, it became time for the Millers to take advantage of Ubelhor. Austin Shirley and Alex Cleverly (Neil Brown came in to courtesy run) walked for the first two plate appearances of the top of the 5th. After Harris Camp popped out to first, Travis Gillian singled to left, scoring Shirley from second to account for Noblesville's (and the game's) lone run for a 1-0 Miller win.
The win moved Sharp to a solid 4-0 on the mound with a 2.29 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched during his 10 appearances in this his freshman season.
With the sweep of the Orioles, it was the 4th HCC sweep of the season for the Millers, upping their conference mark to 15-3 and overall finishing the regular season at 23-5.
Noblesville now faces Carmel (22-6), whom they lost 11-1 to in 5 innings at home on April 23rd at home and are out for revenge on their Hamilton county rivals on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day) in the 2nd semifinal game of the Class 4A Sectional 8 tournament at The Dunk in Noblesville.
During their current 13-game winning streak, the diamond Millers have outscored those seven opponents by a whopping 80-20 margin, averaging 6.1 runs per game during this current stretch.
Those wins include four shutouts, two extra inning victories, two by the run-rule and eight of them winning by at least four runs or more.
The Hamilton Southeastern series was the closest of the season, but the Millers still almost doubled up the Royals with a 13-7 total in the 3-game set.
The Millers were pretty much dominant on the scoreboard in the Brownsburg and Avon series, taking down the Bulldogs (22-4) and Orioles (20-1) pretty handily in those two three-game series.
I could probably throw more stats at you, but I'll save those for a later date, because to be honest, the Millers have a lot of work to do first before their story is finished.
Back to the lecture at hand...the sweeping of the Avon Orioles...
GAME 1: Millers work quick, beat Avon by 10
4A #9 Noblesville 11, Avon 1 (5 innings) - at Avon (Wednesday May 18, 2016)
Millers 0 1 0 4 6 - 11 14 1
Orioles 0 1 0 0 0 - 1 2 3
The second to last road game of the regular season couldn't have gone any better than it did, especially for starting pitcher Clayton Marowski.
With the offense clicking on all cylinders of late, it made it just that much easier for Mouse to stay focused and get he job done on the mound.
After a scoreless first from both sides, the bottom third of the batting order got the bats going for Noblesville.
Austin Shirley walked with one out and moved to second on Alex Cleverly's base hit to left. Two batters later at the top of the order, Travis Gillian singled to center to drive Shirley home for an early 1-0 Miller advantage.
Avon struck back in the bottom of the 2nd. Spencer Strobel lined a leadoff single to right. Wendell Mosteller walked to give the Orioles two on and nobody out. Jack Hart grounded to Michael Carmosino. The Miller second baseman stepped on second and threw over to first for the double play, but that gave Strobel enough time to score to knot the game at 1-1.
The Millers found a solid opportunity to put some runs on the board and do it quickly. They did so with Shirley leading off with a walk. The senior right-fielder would be forced out at second on a Cleverly fielder's choice. Neil Brown came in to run for the catcher Cleverly.
Nine-hole hitter Harris Camp knocked a base hit to center to get Brown to second with one down. Gillian grounded a single of his own to center, loading the bases still with one out.
Carmo grounded to short to load the bases again, scoring Gillian to break the tie and give the Millers a 2-1 edge and a lead they obviously wouldn't give back. Jackson Thurman sent another hit to center. Camp and Gillian touched home to make it 4-1. That got Carmosino to third and he would also head home for a four-run cushion at 5-1.
Ty Lindstrand got on base to start off the top of the 5th with an infield single. Austin Shirley was also able to beat out an infield single for a pair of runners on and no outs. Lindstrand stole third base and then scored on an error by Avon catcher Kahia'u Quartero to put Noblesville up a handful at 6-1.
Camp walked and Gillian sent a base hit to left that loaded the bases. Carmosino line his own hit to let to plate both Shirley and Camp for a touchdown lead (8-1). Bryce Masterson walked to load the bags (again). Sticking with the common theme that was working, Connor Christman smoked a grounder to second, plating Gillian, jumping the lead to 9-1 and the Millers weren't done yet.
Two more runs would find their way on the board when Carmosino and Julian Simac (Masterson's courtesy runner) both scored on Lindstrand's two-run single to center, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin, putting Avon away by ten in Game 1 of the series, 11-1.
Marowski was on a roll and completely in a zone of his own, sending down the Orioles in order in the 3rd through 5th innings to help seal the win and up his record on the mound to 6-1 and keep his ERA low at 1.65.
Clayton threw just 39 pitches (29 strikes) en route to cruising to the complete game victory. He fanned a pair of Avon hitters, walking one and giving up just two hits and an unearned run.
GAME 2: Conway K's 14, throws 3-hitter for series win over Avon
4A #9 Noblesville 8, Avon 0 - at The Dunk, Noblesville (Thurs. May 19, 2016)
Orioles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 2
Millers 5 2 0 0 1 0 x - 8 5 1
The Noblesville offense took off from where they left things at Avon on Wednesday night in their 11-1 rout of the Orioles and brought that momentum back to The Dunk.
Cory Conway was completely dialed in and in a zone of his own. The southpaw might have allowed Andrew Griffin on to start the game with an error by Lindstrand at first and walked DH Matt Moore, but struck out two of the five Oriole hitters in the 1st inning.
Travis Gillian took a 3-2 pitch from Spencer Strobel and found a spot for it in shallow left. Carmosino walked and Gillian was on the move to third for runners at the corners. Jackson Thurman grounded out to third and Gillian sprinted home for a quick 1-0 Noblesville lead.
Carmosino, along with Bryce Masterson and Connor Christman all would also score with Strobel on the mound, which chased the the junior after just 2/3 of an inning. Despite being relieved by Alex Ayler, Strobel was still responsible for the bases being loaded. Ayler walked Gillian to send in the fifth run of the 1st for the Millers and Strobel was charged with all five runs in the 5-0 bottom of one for Noblesville.
Much of the same happened in the last of the 2nd. Thurman walked to lead off the inning and was quickly tripled home from the bat of Masterson for a half dozen lead that would grow a little more. Ty Lindstrand reached on a fielder's choice and scored in the inning to make the score 7-0.
As Conway was mowing down the Avon hitters and carving his way up and down their lineup, it made things seem that much easier for the rest of the Millers. Striking out 14 in the game, Cory was averaging a pair of K's per inning in dominating the Orioles. Tossing 104 pitches (67 strikes) in a complete game, three-hit shutout in his final regular season home game as a senior, shows the Cory Conway that we're all used to seeing over the past few seasons and he's not even close to done yet!
The home half of the 6th was a moment that has been due for quite a while and it couldn't have come at a better time. Junior catcher Alex Cleverly torched a 2-2 Ayler pitch and sent it over the left field fence for a solo home run, the first of his varsity career! The solo shot from Clev turned out to be the final score of 8-0 and a 2-0 series lead.
GAME 3: Sharp not phased by lack of run support, 3-hits Avon for series sweep
4A #9 Noblesville 1, Avon 0 - at Avon (Friday, May 20, 2016)
Millers 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 - 1 4 1
Orioles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 1
In a game that was the final regular season tuneup for both Noblesville and Avon, both teams had something to prove and were out to try and make something happen before sectional play starts.
Noblesville had everything still on the table with the chance that Fishers could steal a game from Zionsville and help the Millers tie the Eagles at 15-3 in HCC play, making them co-champions. The Tigers did help out, beating Zville 6-1 on Saturday night, creating that tie Noblesville needed.
Reese Sharp was on the mound for the visiting Millers and Mitch Ubelhor for the host Orioles. By the looks of the first two games of the series, it was safe to say that Noblesville would keep out big bats and let their offense do the talking. The two starting pitchers had another thing in mind.
It was a pitcher's dual that wasn't expected at all, to say the least.
Scoreless through the first four innings, it became time for the Millers to take advantage of Ubelhor. Austin Shirley and Alex Cleverly (Neil Brown came in to courtesy run) walked for the first two plate appearances of the top of the 5th. After Harris Camp popped out to first, Travis Gillian singled to left, scoring Shirley from second to account for Noblesville's (and the game's) lone run for a 1-0 Miller win.
The win moved Sharp to a solid 4-0 on the mound with a 2.29 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched during his 10 appearances in this his freshman season.
With the sweep of the Orioles, it was the 4th HCC sweep of the season for the Millers, upping their conference mark to 15-3 and overall finishing the regular season at 23-5.
Noblesville now faces Carmel (22-6), whom they lost 11-1 to in 5 innings at home on April 23rd at home and are out for revenge on their Hamilton county rivals on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day) in the 2nd semifinal game of the Class 4A Sectional 8 tournament at The Dunk in Noblesville.
Monday, May 23, 2016
#9 Millers sweep Brownsburg, allow just four runs
The first game of the Hoosier Crossroads Conference series between Noblesville and Brownsburg was supposed to take place at The Dunk in Noblesville on Thursday, May 12. But, as per most springs in Indiana, weather played a role, postponing the game until Friday night in Brownsburg and would be part of a twilight doubleheader, followed by Game 3 being played back at Noblesville at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 14.
Noblesville is one of the hottest teams around the area and possibly the state, currently. The Millers have rattled off 10 wins in a row, including this series sweep of Brownsburg.
Ever since getting embarrassed at home vs. Carmel on Saturday, April 23 (11-1 in 5 inn.) and losing the continuation of Game 3 of their series against Zionsville on Monday, May 2, the Millers have been on quite a roll, winning 10 consecutive games on the diamond.
GAME 1: Marowski controls BBurg, Cleverly has 3 RBIs & Lindstrand goes 3-4
4A #9 Noblesville 6, Brownsburg 1 - at Brownsburg (Friday, May 13, 2016)
Millers 2 0 3 0 1 0 0 - 6 9 1
Bulldogs 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 1 6 2
Travis Gillian led off the game by reaching first base on a dropped third strike. Michael Carmosino walked for two on and nobody out. Gillian scored on a passed ball with Jackson Thurman at the plate, moving Carmosino to third.
Connor Christman walked to give the Millers runners at the corners with one out. After Bryce Masterson's line out to first, Ty Lindstrand doubled to right, scoring Carmosino to make it 2-0 after Noblesville's first at-bat. Christman tried scoring from first, but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
Back at it in the top of the 3rd, Masterson lined a single to right. After Christman flied out to left, Lindstrand singled to short on a fly ball that Luis Escalante had trouble locating. Shirley tested Escalante again, singling in the hole to load the bases with one down.
Masterson scored on an error by Chase Haynes at first (3-0). Alex Cleverly knocked in Lindstrand and Shirley with a two-run single into center to extend the Miller lead to 5-0.
Christman knocked a base hit into right to lead off the top of the 5th for the Millers. Lindstrand hit safely for the third at-bat in a row, placing a single to right. Austin Shirley laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Christman to third and Ty to second and one away. Cleverly hit a sac fly to left, scoring Christman (6-0) for Clev's 3rd RBI of the night.
Greg Hughes accounted for Brownsburg's lone run, belting a solo home run to center. That would be all of the offense that Clayton Marowski would allow from the host Bulldogs. The senior right-hander earned his 4th complete game victory to move to 5-1 on the season, striking out 5 and walking two, while giving up just six hits and one run (earned).
GAME 2: Millers score in all five frames, run-rule Bulldogs in nightcap
4A #9 Noblesville 12, Brownsburg 2 - at Brownsburg (Friday, May 13, 2016)
Bulldogs 1 0 1 0 0 - 2 6 2
Millers 2 4 1 3 2 - 12 9 0
Cory Conway was back to the grind, trying to get the Millers another series win and also tying his career-high of seven wins. This second game of the night would be the Noblesville home game that was rained out on Thursday night.
It was a slightly shaky top of the 1st for Conway. Chase Haynes led the game off with a single up the middle into center on the first pitch the senior southpaw delivered. After a couple strikeouts in a row by Conway, Brandon Reid laced a triple to right, plating Haynes for an early 1-0 Brownsburg advantage.
Michael Carmosino sailed a one-out triple to center to ignite the Miller offense and give them the spark they would need. Bryce Masterson got ahold of his second long ball of the season, belting a pitch up into the wind and carrying it over the left field fence for an opposite field two-run home run for a 2-1 Noblesville takeover after one inning.
Austin Shirley reached on an error by Michael Oliger at short and with the senior's speed, he was able to sprint to second base to get himself into scoring position right away. Alex Cleverly walked and Harris Camp singled to left to load the bases with one down. Gillian drove home Shirley on a fly ball to right to put the Millers up 3-1.
Carmosino skyed a base hit to right, getting both Neil Brown (Cleverly's CR) and Camp home for a 5-1 count. Jackson Thurman walked to load the bases again and with Masterson following suit with a walk, Gillian scored to make it 6-1 after two frames.
The Bulldogs didn't roll over and play dead just yet. Tyler Birely doubled to center to lead off the 3rd and was driven in on a Reid double to cut the Miller lead to 6-2. But Conway was having no more of what had just happened, as he struck out Brewer, Copley and Highes to retire the side to end the inning and any other threat by Brownsburg.
Don't worry, Noblesville got that run back in their home half of the 3rd. Shirley was hit by a Brandon Reid pitch, Cleverly walked and Gillian reached on a fielder's choice to load the bags (again). Shirley scored on a wild pitch to put the Millers up a handful, 7-2.
Noblesville is one of the hottest teams around the area and possibly the state, currently. The Millers have rattled off 10 wins in a row, including this series sweep of Brownsburg.
Ever since getting embarrassed at home vs. Carmel on Saturday, April 23 (11-1 in 5 inn.) and losing the continuation of Game 3 of their series against Zionsville on Monday, May 2, the Millers have been on quite a roll, winning 10 consecutive games on the diamond.
GAME 1: Marowski controls BBurg, Cleverly has 3 RBIs & Lindstrand goes 3-4
4A #9 Noblesville 6, Brownsburg 1 - at Brownsburg (Friday, May 13, 2016)
Millers 2 0 3 0 1 0 0 - 6 9 1
Bulldogs 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 1 6 2
Travis Gillian led off the game by reaching first base on a dropped third strike. Michael Carmosino walked for two on and nobody out. Gillian scored on a passed ball with Jackson Thurman at the plate, moving Carmosino to third.
Connor Christman walked to give the Millers runners at the corners with one out. After Bryce Masterson's line out to first, Ty Lindstrand doubled to right, scoring Carmosino to make it 2-0 after Noblesville's first at-bat. Christman tried scoring from first, but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
Back at it in the top of the 3rd, Masterson lined a single to right. After Christman flied out to left, Lindstrand singled to short on a fly ball that Luis Escalante had trouble locating. Shirley tested Escalante again, singling in the hole to load the bases with one down.
Masterson scored on an error by Chase Haynes at first (3-0). Alex Cleverly knocked in Lindstrand and Shirley with a two-run single into center to extend the Miller lead to 5-0.
Christman knocked a base hit into right to lead off the top of the 5th for the Millers. Lindstrand hit safely for the third at-bat in a row, placing a single to right. Austin Shirley laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Christman to third and Ty to second and one away. Cleverly hit a sac fly to left, scoring Christman (6-0) for Clev's 3rd RBI of the night.
Greg Hughes accounted for Brownsburg's lone run, belting a solo home run to center. That would be all of the offense that Clayton Marowski would allow from the host Bulldogs. The senior right-hander earned his 4th complete game victory to move to 5-1 on the season, striking out 5 and walking two, while giving up just six hits and one run (earned).
GAME 2: Millers score in all five frames, run-rule Bulldogs in nightcap
4A #9 Noblesville 12, Brownsburg 2 - at Brownsburg (Friday, May 13, 2016)
Bulldogs 1 0 1 0 0 - 2 6 2
Millers 2 4 1 3 2 - 12 9 0
Cory Conway was back to the grind, trying to get the Millers another series win and also tying his career-high of seven wins. This second game of the night would be the Noblesville home game that was rained out on Thursday night.
It was a slightly shaky top of the 1st for Conway. Chase Haynes led the game off with a single up the middle into center on the first pitch the senior southpaw delivered. After a couple strikeouts in a row by Conway, Brandon Reid laced a triple to right, plating Haynes for an early 1-0 Brownsburg advantage.
Michael Carmosino sailed a one-out triple to center to ignite the Miller offense and give them the spark they would need. Bryce Masterson got ahold of his second long ball of the season, belting a pitch up into the wind and carrying it over the left field fence for an opposite field two-run home run for a 2-1 Noblesville takeover after one inning.
Austin Shirley reached on an error by Michael Oliger at short and with the senior's speed, he was able to sprint to second base to get himself into scoring position right away. Alex Cleverly walked and Harris Camp singled to left to load the bases with one down. Gillian drove home Shirley on a fly ball to right to put the Millers up 3-1.
Carmosino skyed a base hit to right, getting both Neil Brown (Cleverly's CR) and Camp home for a 5-1 count. Jackson Thurman walked to load the bases again and with Masterson following suit with a walk, Gillian scored to make it 6-1 after two frames.
The Bulldogs didn't roll over and play dead just yet. Tyler Birely doubled to center to lead off the 3rd and was driven in on a Reid double to cut the Miller lead to 6-2. But Conway was having no more of what had just happened, as he struck out Brewer, Copley and Highes to retire the side to end the inning and any other threat by Brownsburg.
Don't worry, Noblesville got that run back in their home half of the 3rd. Shirley was hit by a Brandon Reid pitch, Cleverly walked and Gillian reached on a fielder's choice to load the bags (again). Shirley scored on a wild pitch to put the Millers up a handful, 7-2.
Another
crooked number would follow that of the 1st and
2nd innings, as three more runs
would wind up on the scoreboard out in left.
Conner
Christman replicated what he did at Brownsburg last year. The veteran
third baseman got ahold of a Reid pitch and sent it over the left
field to get the Millers up by half a dozen at 8-2. After Reid walked
Austin Shirley, Drew Stratton came on to relieve Reid. Two batters
later, Harris Camp walked and then he and Shirley were both given the
pass to head home on a Gillian double to left, pushing the Millers in
full command at 10-2 through four.
In the top of
the 5th, it was pretty obvious that Cory Conway was in
control of this game from the mound. The crafty lefty struck out the
side to leave his mark on the Bulldogs with 12 strikeouts in the game
in five innings of work, giving up six hits and a pair of runs (both
earned) and only three bases on balls.
The Miller
offense wasn't quite done yet. Two runs on the board and it would be
a complete game via the run-rule.
Thurman got
the last of the 5th started with a walk from
Stratton. Masterson roped a double to left, his second extra base hit
of the night, scoring Thurman (11-2) to get Noblesville close to
ending the game. Julian Simac came in to courtesy run for Bryce with
no outs. Simac scored the final run for the Millers as they won Game
2 in 5 innings, 12-2.
GAME
3: Millers finesse way to Senior Day win, sweep Brownsburg
4A
#9 Noblesville 4, Brownsburg 1 – at The Dunk (Sat. May 14, 2016)
Bulldogs
0 1 0 0
0 0 0 -
1 4 2
Millers
0 0 0
0 1 3 x -
4 4 0
Freshman
Reese Sharp has been entrusted as a part of the pitching staff and
it's accurate to say that Sharp has been tested from the midway point
of the season to the present and the coaching staff is pleased with
his efforts. He will for sure be an asset to the Miller pitching
staff.
Sharp seemed
a bit shaky to start the game, giving up a pair of hits, along with a
fielder's choice, while plunking a couple Bulldog hitters and walking
another. Brownsburg took advantage of a Charlie Brewer bloop single
to right with one out. Brewer would score the Bulldogs' only run they
could must against the young Miller hurler.
Sharp settled
in, sending Brownsburg down in order in both the 3rd and
4th to get himself into a comfort zone on the hill.
And for that matter, he only gave up a single in each the 5th and
6th to keep the Bulldogs in check.
The Miller
offense picked him up in the last of the 5th. Alex
Cleverly was hit by a Tyler Birely pitch to start the bottom of the
fifth and was courtesy run for by Neil Brown. Birely's arm had to be
wearing down at that point, because he threw a couple innings on
Friday night also.
Michael
Carmosino drove Brown in to knot the ballgame up, sending a pitch to
deep center for a double and a 1-1 tie.
Noblesville
found a prime opportunity in the bottom of the 6th to take the lead
and stick the nail in the coffin to put this game away and earn their
third series sweep in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
Bryce Masterson
walked to start the inning off and was subbed at first base by
courtesy runner Tyler Owens. Connor Christman reached on an error by
Luis Escalante at short for two on and no outs. Julian Simac would
check in to run for Christman.
Suprisingly,
Ty Lindstrand was called upon to bunt...and it worked. Jaret Starnes
committed a throwing error when the bases were loaded from Ty's bunt.
Owens would score what turned out to be the game-winning run on that
error. Travis Gillian hit a two-run single into shallow left center
that sent both Simac and Lindstrand home to put the final score of
4-1 on the scoreboard.
Carmosino
came in to pitch the top of the 7th and had the Bulldogs' hitters
under control. The Millers' spot reliever forced Escalante to ground
out to short, Greg Hughes popped out to first and struck out Chase
Haynes to end the game, earning his third save in his six appearances
out of the bullpen.
The sweep of
Brownsburg is the third of the season for Noblesville and also gives
them 10 wins in a row overall.
Monday, May 16, 2016
Six-run 5th pushes Millers past Kokomo on road
The Noblesville Millers are on an upswing and it's at the right time of the season. With recent wins over solid programs like McCutcheon, Terre Haute North, Wapahani and an HCC series sweep of the Hamilton Southeastern Royals, Millerball is on full display these days and they're just getting warmed up with two weeks until the 50th annual IHSAA state tournament begins.
Winning six games in a row is something that's expected of the Miller baseball program. They hit the road on Tuesday, May 10 to play the Kokomo Wildkats, who get the luxury of playing their home games at Kokomo Municipal Stadium, the home of the Kokomo Jackrabbits, a summer collegiate Prospect League team. It's a beautiful stadium that seats around 4,000, but the only problem is that the field is all turf. Everything is turf. Personally, that would create problems for fielders much more than a normal grass playing surface.
In the grand scheme of things, it is pretty cool that the Kokomo Wildkats baseball team has worked out a deal with the City of Kokomo to play their home games there at Municipal Stadium, which is right across the street from the historic Memorial Gym, the storied, longtime home of Kokomo Wildkats basketball.
Overall, it's a great opportunity for the Millers and Wildkats to get together in non-conference style and renew their rivalry on the baseball diamond.
Six-run 5th helps push past Kokomo; 4 Millers drive in 2 each
4A #9 Noblesville 10, Kokomo 5 - at Municipal Stadium, Kokomo (Tue. May 10, 2016)
Millers 2 1 0 1 6 0 0 - 10 8 2
Wildkats 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 - 5 9 2
Wildkat starting pitcher Brayden Root was hoping to get the Millers on the ropes right away in a brand new environment, but that's the opposite of what happened.
After Travis Gillian popped out anxiously to Root at the mound to lead off the game, Michael Carmosino was patient and walked on four straight pitches. Jackson Thurman found the gap in right center immediately on an 0-1 count, belting an RBI-triple that scored Carmo with ease.
Two batters later after Bryce Masterson was hit by a pitch, Connor Christman hit a sacrifice fly to left, plating Thurman from third to give the Millers a 2-0 lead as Kokomo came to bat in the bottom.
The somewhat funny thing about Masterson getting hit by a pitch was that just before he headed to the on deck circle, Bryce said to me in the dugout, "It's crazy that I haven't been hit this year." Six pitches into his at-bat with a 1-2 count, the DH was hit on the right foot on an inside pitch.
Being accustomed to their home "turf," Kokomo decided they would fire right back in the bottom of the 1st.
Noah Hurlock took advantage of Harris Camp playing in too far in center and drove a one-out triple to the wall on a couple bounces. The next Wildkat hitter, Jack Perkins, took a Tyler Owens 2-2 pitch sailing over the left field wall for a two-run home run to tie the game up quick. Kyle Wade grounded a single up the middle into center and was drive home two batters later on an RBI-double from Perry McCullum to put the hosts up 3-2 after one full inning.
A one-out walk from Camp for the first Miller runner aboard in the top of the 2nd. Camp would then steal second and move over to third on a Gillian single into shallow left to put runners at the corners. Carmosino walked to load the bags with Thurman up. With the big three-bagger his first trip up, Thurman wasn't given anything to hit and walked, allowing Camp to score for a 3-3 tie.
Kade Gorman came in to relieve Owens with two outs in the bottom of the 2nd. Gorman needed just four pitches to get out of the jam that Owens had unfortunately created. It didn't take long for Gorman to feel comfortable on the turf field at Municipal Stadium. Only in there for 1.1 innings, the tall sophomore walked two, along with striking out a pair, all while keeping the Wildkats from scoring.
Gillian was second up in the 4th after Camp whiffed for the first out. Travis reached on an error by Kokomo third baseman Cole Munsey, advancing to second on as the ball bounced away from first baseman Quamielle Belt. He would keep running with Carmo up, moving to third on a wild pitch and eventually scored to put the Millers up 4-3 on an RBI-single from Carmosino.
Gorman walked Colt Munsey to start the home half of the 4th and was pulled for Reese Sharp out of the bullpen.
Logan Hawk came in to relieve Root for Kokomo in the top of the 4th with two outs. Throwing two pitches, Hawk forced the Millers into a double play to end the inning.
The Millers felt like busting this thing wide open and did so with authority in the top of the 5th. Hawk walked Christman and Ty Lindstrand to put a duo of Millers on. Noah Hurlock came in and things turned from bad to worse for the Wildkat pitchers.
Austin Shirley legged out an infield single to load the bases. Alex Cleverly would walk, driving home Christman for a two run lead at 5-3. Camp reached on an error by shortstop Kyle Wade, scoring Lindstrand. After Gillian lined out to third, Carmosino and Thurman both walked, followed by a two-run single to right center by Masterson, the Millers were now up 10-3 after Shirley, Camp, Neil Brown (subbed in for Carmosino) and Thurman all scored. This busted the game wide open and put Kokomo in a hole they couldn't get out of.
Reese Sharp had to throw a lot of pitches in his four innings (67, 39 strikes), but that comes with the territory when you work out of the bullpen, sometimes.
He allowed two singles and two walks in the 5th with pinch-hitter Brian Harding scoring when pinch-hitter Nick Hemmerich walked to send Harding home to cut it to 10-4.
The Wildkats had one last ditch effort in the bottom of the 7th. Harding was up again, reaching on an error at third by Christman and scored again on a sacrifice fly by Kai Lane for the final score of 10-5.
The win over Kokomo moves the Millers to 17-5 overall and now 8-2 in non-conference play this season.
Winning six games in a row is something that's expected of the Miller baseball program. They hit the road on Tuesday, May 10 to play the Kokomo Wildkats, who get the luxury of playing their home games at Kokomo Municipal Stadium, the home of the Kokomo Jackrabbits, a summer collegiate Prospect League team. It's a beautiful stadium that seats around 4,000, but the only problem is that the field is all turf. Everything is turf. Personally, that would create problems for fielders much more than a normal grass playing surface.
In the grand scheme of things, it is pretty cool that the Kokomo Wildkats baseball team has worked out a deal with the City of Kokomo to play their home games there at Municipal Stadium, which is right across the street from the historic Memorial Gym, the storied, longtime home of Kokomo Wildkats basketball.
Overall, it's a great opportunity for the Millers and Wildkats to get together in non-conference style and renew their rivalry on the baseball diamond.
Six-run 5th helps push past Kokomo; 4 Millers drive in 2 each
4A #9 Noblesville 10, Kokomo 5 - at Municipal Stadium, Kokomo (Tue. May 10, 2016)
Millers 2 1 0 1 6 0 0 - 10 8 2
Wildkats 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 - 5 9 2
Wildkat starting pitcher Brayden Root was hoping to get the Millers on the ropes right away in a brand new environment, but that's the opposite of what happened.
After Travis Gillian popped out anxiously to Root at the mound to lead off the game, Michael Carmosino was patient and walked on four straight pitches. Jackson Thurman found the gap in right center immediately on an 0-1 count, belting an RBI-triple that scored Carmo with ease.
Two batters later after Bryce Masterson was hit by a pitch, Connor Christman hit a sacrifice fly to left, plating Thurman from third to give the Millers a 2-0 lead as Kokomo came to bat in the bottom.
The somewhat funny thing about Masterson getting hit by a pitch was that just before he headed to the on deck circle, Bryce said to me in the dugout, "It's crazy that I haven't been hit this year." Six pitches into his at-bat with a 1-2 count, the DH was hit on the right foot on an inside pitch.
Being accustomed to their home "turf," Kokomo decided they would fire right back in the bottom of the 1st.
Noah Hurlock took advantage of Harris Camp playing in too far in center and drove a one-out triple to the wall on a couple bounces. The next Wildkat hitter, Jack Perkins, took a Tyler Owens 2-2 pitch sailing over the left field wall for a two-run home run to tie the game up quick. Kyle Wade grounded a single up the middle into center and was drive home two batters later on an RBI-double from Perry McCullum to put the hosts up 3-2 after one full inning.
A one-out walk from Camp for the first Miller runner aboard in the top of the 2nd. Camp would then steal second and move over to third on a Gillian single into shallow left to put runners at the corners. Carmosino walked to load the bags with Thurman up. With the big three-bagger his first trip up, Thurman wasn't given anything to hit and walked, allowing Camp to score for a 3-3 tie.
Kade Gorman came in to relieve Owens with two outs in the bottom of the 2nd. Gorman needed just four pitches to get out of the jam that Owens had unfortunately created. It didn't take long for Gorman to feel comfortable on the turf field at Municipal Stadium. Only in there for 1.1 innings, the tall sophomore walked two, along with striking out a pair, all while keeping the Wildkats from scoring.
Gillian was second up in the 4th after Camp whiffed for the first out. Travis reached on an error by Kokomo third baseman Cole Munsey, advancing to second on as the ball bounced away from first baseman Quamielle Belt. He would keep running with Carmo up, moving to third on a wild pitch and eventually scored to put the Millers up 4-3 on an RBI-single from Carmosino.
Gorman walked Colt Munsey to start the home half of the 4th and was pulled for Reese Sharp out of the bullpen.
Logan Hawk came in to relieve Root for Kokomo in the top of the 4th with two outs. Throwing two pitches, Hawk forced the Millers into a double play to end the inning.
The Millers felt like busting this thing wide open and did so with authority in the top of the 5th. Hawk walked Christman and Ty Lindstrand to put a duo of Millers on. Noah Hurlock came in and things turned from bad to worse for the Wildkat pitchers.
Austin Shirley legged out an infield single to load the bases. Alex Cleverly would walk, driving home Christman for a two run lead at 5-3. Camp reached on an error by shortstop Kyle Wade, scoring Lindstrand. After Gillian lined out to third, Carmosino and Thurman both walked, followed by a two-run single to right center by Masterson, the Millers were now up 10-3 after Shirley, Camp, Neil Brown (subbed in for Carmosino) and Thurman all scored. This busted the game wide open and put Kokomo in a hole they couldn't get out of.
Reese Sharp had to throw a lot of pitches in his four innings (67, 39 strikes), but that comes with the territory when you work out of the bullpen, sometimes.
He allowed two singles and two walks in the 5th with pinch-hitter Brian Harding scoring when pinch-hitter Nick Hemmerich walked to send Harding home to cut it to 10-4.
The Wildkats had one last ditch effort in the bottom of the 7th. Harding was up again, reaching on an error at third by Christman and scored again on a sacrifice fly by Kai Lane for the final score of 10-5.
The win over Kokomo moves the Millers to 17-5 overall and now 8-2 in non-conference play this season.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Millers sweep Royals for 3rd straight season
In a baseball rivalry as rich as it is with Hamilton Southeastern and Noblesville, it's somewhat crazy that it has turned out to be such a one-sided series in the last four years, dating back to just 2013.
Fortunately for Noblesville, this one-sided series has fallen heavily to their favor. The Millers have now won 10 of their last 11 against the Royals, sweeping the season series in all three games the last two years, including this season, along with also winning both regular season meetings in 2014.
Noblesville wound up 3-0 against Hamilton Southeastern in that historic 2014 season, taking the sectional semifinal match-up (6-0) against the Royals, en route to helping springboard them to an eventual 4A State Championship.
None of these wins were easy, because the Hoosier Crossroads Conference is honestly way too tough for wins to come that easy, no matter the opponent.
GAME 1: Owens solid out of the bullpen, Millers win on road in 10
4A #12 Noblesville 5, 4A #6 Hamilton Southeastern 4 (10 inn.) - at HSE (Thur, May 5, 2016)
Millers 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 5 5 1
Royals 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 4 7 3
As of late, it seems like a good theme to have going at this point in the season and that's getting some runs on the scoreboard early to get the opponent on their heels as quickly as possible.
Michael Carmosino walked with one out on five pitches from Carter Poiry to get the Millers' first runner aboard. Two batters later, Bryce Masterson grounded a single up the middle into center. Connor Christman smacked a hard ground ball to J.B. Washburn at short, getting Christman on via an E6 by Washburn, scoring Carmosino on the play and advancing Masterson to third with two down.
Masterson scored on a wild pitch by Poiry to make it 2-0 and Christman at third in prime scoring position. Ty Lindstrand would walk to put runners at the corners. Connor ran home while Austin Shirley was up on a passed ball, giving Noblesville a 3-0 lead before the Royals came to bat.
The Millers were able hold the Royals at the plate in the first few innings, thanks to a good start by freshman pitcher Reese Sharp.
Noblesville's bats got going a little more in the top of the 3rd. Masterson led off lining a double to left. After Christman struck out, Lindstrand laced a single to center for runners at the corners again. Shirley climbed on base with a hard grounder to Washburn at short for a fielder's choice, driving Masterson in for an early insurance run for 4-0.
Southeastern came storming back on their home field in the 4th. JB Washburn at Matt Gorski were both hit by pitches to start the inning, getting Sharp off to a shaky start, especially in the meat of the Royals' order.
Owen Callaghan reached on an error by Carmo at 2nd, scoring Washburn from second to cut the Miller lead to 4-1. Gorski touched home to make it 4-2 on a Jack Lang ground out to Christman at 3rd. Cole Jacobs plated Callaghan with a double up the middle and Jon McGee's single to right would allow Jacobs to score and just like that, the Royals had tied the game up 4-4 in the bottom of the 4th. The two would play to a stalemate in the remaining three innings and head to extras
Tyler Owens relieved Sharp (no decision) in the bottom of the 5th and had a great outing out of the Miller bullpen. The sophomore hurled 5 2/3 innings, giving up 5 hits, walking one and striking out two Royals and would pick up the win.
Noblesville figured out exactly how to make some magic happen in the top of the 10th and they did it with IU-recruit Matt Gorski on the mound in relief of Poiry.
Bryce Masterson walked to lead off the inning and would be replaced on the base path by Julian Simac as a courtesy runner. Ty Lindstrand stroked a one-out double to left, giving Simac a chance to sprint home and give the Millers their game-winning run, 5-4.
Carmosino relieved Owens in the bottom of the 10th with two down. The senior spot reliever Carmosino only needed two pitches, forcing Callaghan to line out to Harris Camp in center to earn the save and secure the Game 1 win for the Millers.
GAME 2: Thurman's walk-off walk completes comeback over HSE
4A #12 Noblesville 3, 4A #6 Hamilton Southeastern 2 - at The Dunk (Fri. May 6, 2016)
Royals 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 - 2 6 0
Millers 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 - 3 8 2
Soft-throwing southpaw Mike Pachmeyer was on the mound for Hamilton Southeastern and Clayton Marowski for the Millers in a Friday night tilt at The Dunk in Noblesville.
The Millers got a good crack out of Pachmeyer in the bottom of the 1st, hitting four times and scoring their first run on an RBI-single from Connor Christman for a 1-0 count that would last for a few innings.
Southeastern woke up their bats in the top of the 5th that would help them take the lead, but only for the time being. A one-out double from Washburn got the Royals' dugout fired up. Gorski then sent a liner up the middle into center to tie the game 1-1. Gorski would score in the inning to help Hamilton Southeastern take the lead 2-1.
Fast forwarding the the bottom of the 7th. You could honestly feel it in the air that something was going to happen. Ty Lindstrand led off the last of the 7th with an opposite field double down the left field line to get the Miller faithful going and to their feet. Alex Cleverly hit an RBI-single that would send Lindstrand home to knot the game 2-2. Neil Brown would check in to courtesy run for Cleverly.
Harris Camp walked and Travis Gillian would hit himself on with an infield single, loading the bases with one down. Carmosino would pop out to the shortstop Washburn for the second out. Jackson Thurman had one of the more patient, and trying, at-bats I've seen in a while. The plate umpire had lost control of his strike zone with the atmosphere getting more intense and called a pair of inside pitches (off the plate) strikes, when they were clearly both a ball from my bird's eye view.
Thurman walked on seven pitches to give the Millers a walk-off walk win, scoring Brown from third for a 3-2 victory.
Marowski earned his 4th win on the year, moving his record to 4-1 on the mound. The silent senior struck out just four, but was confidently able to rely on his defense behind him to help him get the job done.
GAME 3: Millers plate 4 in the 8th, sweep the Royals
4A #12 Noblesville 5, 4A #6 Hamilton Southeastern 1 (8 inn.) - at HSE (Sat. May 7, 2016)
Millers 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 - 5 7 2
Royals 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 3 3
Owen Callaghan would get the start for Hamilton Southeastern and ace Cory Conway for Noblesville in what would turn out to be the Millers' third consecutive season shutout of the Royals, which is pretty much unheard of in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference, let alone high school baseball.
After playing 10 innings Thursday night and coming down to a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the 7th Friday night, both teams took a few innings to get settled in.
Conway was cruising on the mound, striking out 5 in his first three innings and keeping the Royals' bats minimized.
Alex Cleverly walked on four pitches with one out to get the top of the 3rd going for Noblesville. Neil Brown would check in to run for Cleverly. After Brown stole second, Harris Camp grounded out to third, advancing Brown over to third with two outs. Travis Gillian lined a single to right and Brown would score on an error by first baseman Jon McGee jumping the Millers out to a 1-0 edge.
It's an extremely good thing that Conway can rely on his defense. That's what he did some of the night, all while striking out 11 Hamilton Southeastern hitters.
Fast forward to the bottom of the 7th. It's hard to tell what could happen when it's a 1-0 game heading into the bottom of the last inning with the home team up to the plate.
Matt Gorski led off the home half of the 7th, singling on a hard ground ball to Carmosino at second to get the Royals' first runner on. Gorski moved to second on a Callaghan ground out. Jon McGee singled to center to send Gorski home, tying the game 1-1 and sending it to extras for the second time in three nights.
The Millers were at the point where they wanted to put this game away and put this series to bed with a sweep.
Harris Camp led off visitors half of the 8th grounding a single to left. Gillian followed suit to left and just like that, two Millers were on with no outs. Scott Henson called to the bullpen for lefty Carter Lohman.
Jackson Thurman doubled into the gap in right center, scoring Gillian for what would be the game-winner and a 2-1 lead. Being on the road, Noblesville just poured it on.
Carmosino reached on a fielder's choice, bunting and Masterson (Simac in to run) would be intentionally walked, loading the bases for another big opportunity.
Connor Christman lined a single to right to plate both Carmo and Thurman for a 4-1 cushion. Lindstrand walked to load the bags again. Austin Shirley plated the final run on his walk, sending Simac home for a 5-1 score and Conway in line for the win, as the Millers would need three outs to secure the sweep.
The Royals had a glimmer of hope in the bottom of the 8th, but honestly couldn't overcome Noblesville's crooked number in that 4-run top of the 8th.
Conway was outstanding on the mound, pitching a solid 7.2 innings, allowing 3 hits, one run (earned), walking two and striking out 11 on the way to his 6th win of the season.
*Series note: This series sweep of Hamilton Southeastern is Noblesville's third straight sweep of the Royals in a row. Grabbing all three 2015 games, the Millers also were also able to sweep the two-game series, as well as a sectional semifinal win in 2014, en route to an eventual 4A state championship. Noblesville is now 10-1 in their last 11 against HSE, just dating 2013-present, as they split the series 1-1 in 2013.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Reese is Sharp in 1-hit road shutout at McCutcheon
Even though the two teams have parted ways as conference opponents, they have mutually agreed that they should keep each other on the baseball schedule every year, just to keep their heated rivalry going for years to come.
This time, the Millers road tripped it to Lafayette to face the Mavericks and for the first time since the late 1970's, Jake Burton would not be the head coach of the McCutcheon baseball team. Brian Eaton is the new skipper for the maroon clad Mavs. It'll be an extremely tall task to keep up with what Burton was able to accomplish during his 35+ years at the helm.
A game like this is always a crucial one for the simple fact that it strengthens the schedule. McCutcheon is known for having a great baseball program and had great success all those years Burton was their head coach, despite being like Ebeniezer Scrooge on the baseball diamond, unless he was getting his way with the umpires during a game.
Frosh Reese Sharp tosses 1-hit road shutout of McCutcheon
4A #10 Noblesville 5, McCutcheon 0 - at McCutcheon, Lafayette, IN (Fri. Apr. 29, 2016)
Millers 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 - 5 7 0
Mavericks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 1
There's a time when young varsity baseball players take it upon themselves to officially grow up. Last Friday, April 29th was that night for Noblesville freshman pitcher Reese Sharp.
It's somewhat of a rare thing for a freshman to see varsity action, let alone start on the mound. Reese Sharp has taken it in stride and is really starting to find his groove.
Five of his seven innings, Sharp sent the Mavericks down in order. He allowed two consecutive walks to lead off the bottom of the 1st, but the Millers' defense was behind him to solidify three outs in a row.
Sharp gave up a leadoff hit to Tavcott to start the last of the 3rd, but retired the top of the McCutcheon order to follow. But, that would obviously be the only hit the Mavericks could get off of the young hurler.
Michael Carmosino walked with one out in the top of the 1st and soon after, stole 2nd with Thurman at the plate. Bryce Masterson laced a single to left that scored Carmo to get the Millers all they would really require on a night like this where Sharp dominated on the hill.
Two quick outs from Lindstrand and Shirley put a little pressure on the bottom of the Noblesville batting order. Alex Cleverly reached on an error by the Maverick shortstop. Harris Camp dropped a single to left, getting Alex to 2nd. Cleverly and Camp advanced to 3rd and 2nd, respectively, on a passed ball to put the Millers in prime scoring position.
Travis Gillian walked to load the bags. Carmosino came through with a two-run single that sent both Cleverly and Camp home for a 3-0 count.
The Miller offense started off the 6th with a couple quick outs, but that again didn't stop them from rallying for some offense.
Camp was hit by a pitch and Gillian singled to left, which was enough to move Harris over to 3rd. Camp was able to motor home on Gillian's steal of 2nd base, adding another run for 4-0.
Carmosino drilled a triple to left that scored Gillian with ease, accounting for the final score of 5-0.
Sharp finished the night with a solid 7 innings pitched, giving up just one hit and two walks, while striking out five. He only needed to throw 73 pitches (49 strikes) to completely stymie the Maverick offense.
The shutout of McCutcheon is the 5th time this season that the Millers have held an opponent scoreless.
This time, the Millers road tripped it to Lafayette to face the Mavericks and for the first time since the late 1970's, Jake Burton would not be the head coach of the McCutcheon baseball team. Brian Eaton is the new skipper for the maroon clad Mavs. It'll be an extremely tall task to keep up with what Burton was able to accomplish during his 35+ years at the helm.
A game like this is always a crucial one for the simple fact that it strengthens the schedule. McCutcheon is known for having a great baseball program and had great success all those years Burton was their head coach, despite being like Ebeniezer Scrooge on the baseball diamond, unless he was getting his way with the umpires during a game.
Frosh Reese Sharp tosses 1-hit road shutout of McCutcheon
4A #10 Noblesville 5, McCutcheon 0 - at McCutcheon, Lafayette, IN (Fri. Apr. 29, 2016)
Millers 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 - 5 7 0
Mavericks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 1
There's a time when young varsity baseball players take it upon themselves to officially grow up. Last Friday, April 29th was that night for Noblesville freshman pitcher Reese Sharp.
It's somewhat of a rare thing for a freshman to see varsity action, let alone start on the mound. Reese Sharp has taken it in stride and is really starting to find his groove.
Five of his seven innings, Sharp sent the Mavericks down in order. He allowed two consecutive walks to lead off the bottom of the 1st, but the Millers' defense was behind him to solidify three outs in a row.
Sharp gave up a leadoff hit to Tavcott to start the last of the 3rd, but retired the top of the McCutcheon order to follow. But, that would obviously be the only hit the Mavericks could get off of the young hurler.
Michael Carmosino walked with one out in the top of the 1st and soon after, stole 2nd with Thurman at the plate. Bryce Masterson laced a single to left that scored Carmo to get the Millers all they would really require on a night like this where Sharp dominated on the hill.
Two quick outs from Lindstrand and Shirley put a little pressure on the bottom of the Noblesville batting order. Alex Cleverly reached on an error by the Maverick shortstop. Harris Camp dropped a single to left, getting Alex to 2nd. Cleverly and Camp advanced to 3rd and 2nd, respectively, on a passed ball to put the Millers in prime scoring position.
Travis Gillian walked to load the bags. Carmosino came through with a two-run single that sent both Cleverly and Camp home for a 3-0 count.
The Miller offense started off the 6th with a couple quick outs, but that again didn't stop them from rallying for some offense.
Camp was hit by a pitch and Gillian singled to left, which was enough to move Harris over to 3rd. Camp was able to motor home on Gillian's steal of 2nd base, adding another run for 4-0.
Carmosino drilled a triple to left that scored Gillian with ease, accounting for the final score of 5-0.
Sharp finished the night with a solid 7 innings pitched, giving up just one hit and two walks, while striking out five. He only needed to throw 73 pitches (49 strikes) to completely stymie the Maverick offense.
The shutout of McCutcheon is the 5th time this season that the Millers have held an opponent scoreless.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Millers edge TH North in 2014 state title rematch
In a much anticipated rematch of the 2014 Class 4A State Championship game, it took a couple extra days to get Terre Haute North and Noblesville on the baseball field to meet up once again.
The Patriots were to play in the Miller Classic on Saturday, but with a constant rain that soaked The Dunk, the 4-game day of baseball that we all were hoping for, was washed out by our unfortunate Central Indiana weather. Crown Point and St. Xavier (Ohio) were also slated to be a part of this year's highly-touted Miller Classic lineup.
With the main goal of North's invitation to Saturday's lineup being able to get the Patriots and Millers matched up, the coaches made it happen on each team's day off on Monday, May 2nd. The slight misting rain wasn't going to keep this game from being played.
Simac scores lone run on wild pitch, Conway fans 8 in relief to secure win
Noblesville 1, Terre Haute North 0 - at The Dunk, Noblesville (Mon. May 2, 2016)
Patriots 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 5 0
Millers 0 0 0 1 0 0 x - 1 4 1
Clayton Marowski got the start and seemed confident to show the potentially powerful offensive lineup. Leadoff hitter Nick Barrett lined a single to right to get the North bats going early. But, soon enough, Marowski caught Barrett napping on his lead off of 1st base, picking him off with a throw and a short chase for the tag by Ty Lindstrand. Aric Wisbey struck out and TJ Collett walked on five pitches, but was stranded at second.
Marowski was relieved in the top of the 4th by Miller staff ace Cory Conway. It wasn't that Mouse didn't have great stuff tonight, but that he might have been on a pitch count with a huge HCC series coming up Thursday through Saturday with Hamilton Southeastern.
Noblesville took advantage of some shaky pitching at this point in the game by Colten Panaranto. Jackson Thurman grounded out to put the Millers in a slight hole, but knew that could easily be dug out of. Bryce Masterson managed some patience, walking on an 8-pitch at-bat and was relieved on the base path at second base by Julian Simac, but not until Masterson advanced to second on a Connor Christman line drive single to center.
Simac managed to show his wheels and sprint all the way home on a Panaranto wild pitch that catcher TJ Collett lost track of, plating the only run that the Millers would need for a 1-0 victory.
Mouse struck out a trio of Patriots in his three innings of starting pitching, allowing four hits and also walking a pair. Conway came in fresh to start the top of the 4th inning and found his groove right away, looking like the crafty lefty that we are all familiar with.
The senior southpaw was in a zone and it didn't matter who stepped into the batter's box for Terre Haute North. Conway gave up just one hit and a walk, while striking out 8 Patriot batters on his way to improving his season mark to 5-1 and helping he and his Miller teammates move the team record to 12-5 overall. Terre Haute North's loss drops them to 7-8 on the year.
Next up for Noblesville, they'll host the 2A #2 Wapahani Raiders (14-1) on Tuesday, May 3 at The Dunk for a 6 p.m. start.
The Patriots were to play in the Miller Classic on Saturday, but with a constant rain that soaked The Dunk, the 4-game day of baseball that we all were hoping for, was washed out by our unfortunate Central Indiana weather. Crown Point and St. Xavier (Ohio) were also slated to be a part of this year's highly-touted Miller Classic lineup.
With the main goal of North's invitation to Saturday's lineup being able to get the Patriots and Millers matched up, the coaches made it happen on each team's day off on Monday, May 2nd. The slight misting rain wasn't going to keep this game from being played.
Simac scores lone run on wild pitch, Conway fans 8 in relief to secure win
Noblesville 1, Terre Haute North 0 - at The Dunk, Noblesville (Mon. May 2, 2016)
Patriots 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 5 0
Millers 0 0 0 1 0 0 x - 1 4 1
Clayton Marowski got the start and seemed confident to show the potentially powerful offensive lineup. Leadoff hitter Nick Barrett lined a single to right to get the North bats going early. But, soon enough, Marowski caught Barrett napping on his lead off of 1st base, picking him off with a throw and a short chase for the tag by Ty Lindstrand. Aric Wisbey struck out and TJ Collett walked on five pitches, but was stranded at second.
Marowski was relieved in the top of the 4th by Miller staff ace Cory Conway. It wasn't that Mouse didn't have great stuff tonight, but that he might have been on a pitch count with a huge HCC series coming up Thursday through Saturday with Hamilton Southeastern.
Noblesville took advantage of some shaky pitching at this point in the game by Colten Panaranto. Jackson Thurman grounded out to put the Millers in a slight hole, but knew that could easily be dug out of. Bryce Masterson managed some patience, walking on an 8-pitch at-bat and was relieved on the base path at second base by Julian Simac, but not until Masterson advanced to second on a Connor Christman line drive single to center.
Simac managed to show his wheels and sprint all the way home on a Panaranto wild pitch that catcher TJ Collett lost track of, plating the only run that the Millers would need for a 1-0 victory.
Mouse struck out a trio of Patriots in his three innings of starting pitching, allowing four hits and also walking a pair. Conway came in fresh to start the top of the 4th inning and found his groove right away, looking like the crafty lefty that we are all familiar with.
The senior southpaw was in a zone and it didn't matter who stepped into the batter's box for Terre Haute North. Conway gave up just one hit and a walk, while striking out 8 Patriot batters on his way to improving his season mark to 5-1 and helping he and his Miller teammates move the team record to 12-5 overall. Terre Haute North's loss drops them to 7-8 on the year.
Next up for Noblesville, they'll host the 2A #2 Wapahani Raiders (14-1) on Tuesday, May 3 at The Dunk for a 6 p.m. start.
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