It's always good to invite different schools to play in your tournament, but yet still be able to win two games to take the championship. In years past, Noblesville and Hamilton Heights have met in the title tilt of the Noblesville Classic, which normally results in the Millers winning by about an average of 8-10 runs or putting the ten-run rule on the Huskies and sending them packing north up State Road 19.
That wasn't the case this year. Noblesville invited annual participant Mississinewa and 3A #3 ranked Lebanon to play in the second game of the day. It was anticipated that the Millers would face off with the 3rd-rated Tigers for the Classic championship. Unfortunately, that's not how the hand was dealt on Saturday for Noblesville.
Bordering communities and school districts, Hamilton Heights and Noblesville are neighbors, friends and family. On the field, all of that goes out the window and it's business.
Since I'm about a week and a half behind, I will just give a brief summary of each game and what made the game turnout the way it did. After that, the all-tournament team for the 2014 Noblesville Classic, chosen by yours truly.
Game 1: Hamilton Heights 8, 4A #7 Noblesville 7 (Saturday, 5/17 at The Dunk)
Huskies 0 2 1 2 0 3 0 - 8 7 2
Millers 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 - 7 6 2
In preparation for the upcoming week that would have the Millers playing 4 conference games in 5 days, head coach Justin Keever and pitching coach Greg Vogt decided that they would try to save their starting rotation's arms and look to their bullpen depth to pitch in the Noblesville Classic.
That move worked, to an extent.
Senior Tyler Gamble got the nod for the start. He's another lefty in the Noblesville lineup that could prove to be a vital piece in the Millers' postseason state tournament run. Gamble tossed the first three innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and striking out 3.
Sophomore Clayton Marowski came in to relieve Gamble and it took a few hitters to get acclimated to varsity hitting after being called up from the JV Black squad.
Marowski gave up two runs and two hits in his two innings during the 4th and 5th, but showed he belongs with taking down all three Heights hitters by groundout and two fly outs.
Dax McLochlin, who has been Noblesville #4 starter in the rotation, came on to work the final two frames. Hamilton Heights tacked 3 more runs on the board in the 6th to grab an 8-6 lead to gain more confidence in hopes of knocking off their Hamilton county rival.
All the Millers could muster up offensively in their half of the sixth was Garrett Christman hitting a sacrifice fly to score Andrew Wilson. That would wind up as the final score of 8-7, giving the Huskies the upset they were looking for to open up the Noblesville Classic.
McLochlin was tabbed with the loss for his first blemish on the mound. That landed Noblesville into the Consolation game against Mississinewa and Hamilton Heights into the championship game vs. Lebanon.
Game 2: 3A #3 Lebanon 14, Mississinewa 2 (5 innings)
Indians 0 0 0 2 0 - 2 5 1
Tigers 1 1 4 7 1 - 14 13 0
Jackson Bland pitched a 5 inning, five hitter while giving up just a pair of runs to advance the 3A #3 Lebanon Tigers into the title game of the 2014 Noblesville Classic.
With the help from Nathan Kincaid, Caleb Myers and Jackson Bennett at the plate, Lebanon showed Mississinewa what they were all about and why they've been ranked in Class 3A all season long.
Kincaid led all Lebanon hitters with a 3-3 performance with 3 RBIs and 4 runs scored. He was also a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.
Myers hit well in his clean-up slot, going 3-3 with a pair of runs and RBIs. Bennett chipped in with two hits and a pair of runs scored.
Game 3: 4A #7 Noblesville 17, Mississinewa 1 (5 innings)
Indians 1 0 0 0 0 - 1 4 2
Millers 6 4 4 3 x - 17 16 0
Rightfully so, Noblesville was more than furious with themselves that Hamilton Heights knocked them out in the first game of the day, so why wouldn't they take it out on their next opponent.
Mississinewa had no idea what was in store for them before they matched up with the Millers.
Six runs on 5 hits in the 1st for the hosts and their offense was back on track. They sent 10 batters to the plate, sending Indians' pitcher Austin Kern into a situation that he didn't know how to get out of.
The 2nd didn't get any better for Kern. Four runs on 4 hits gave Keever and his Millers a 10-1 advantage that they planned to extend further.
Four runs again in the 3rd and three more in the 4th kept the Millers on a hitting spree that they were hoping to be on for quite a while now.
The offense wasn't the best thing that happened for Noblesville in the "consolation game" that Saturday afternoon.
Deciding to start sophomore southpaw Cory Conway was a great decision by pitching coach Greg Vogt and head coach Justin Keever.
Conway tossed a tremendous game to help right the ship after a tough loss to Hamilton Heights to open the day.
CC fanned 7 Mississinewa hitters over his 5 innings of work on the hill, while only giving up 4 hits, one walk and only one run. Conway's curveball was doing exactly what it was supposed to, puzzling hitters as they struck out, shaking their head as they walked back to the dugout.
The Millers' offense really didn't need much once it got going. It was highlighted by Vinny Essig's grand slam home run over the left field wall that gave Noblesville a 4-1 lead that they would only add onto for a 17-1 pummeling of Mississinewa in 5 innings.
Also driving in multiple runs were Dax McLochlin, Easton Brock and Connor Christman, all three with 2 RBIs each.
Championship: 3A #3 Lebanon 10, Hamilton Heights 0 (6 innings)
Huskies 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 1 5
Tigers 3 2 0 0 0 5 - 10 9 3
It almost seemed like Hamilton Heights was completely satisfied by just edging out Noblesville and it was pretty obvious throughout the championship game of the Noblesville Classic.
Jackson Bennett couldn't have had a better outing. The senior hurler did everything in his power to keep the Huskies hitless and off of the base paths.
Bennett was helped at the plate by himself, going 3-4 with a couple RBIs, along with Kincaid and Myers again. Those three combined for half of Lebanon's 10 runs driven in.
He also came close to two different great things that any pitcher would like to accomplish it their career. Bennett was oh so close to first a perfect game and also a no-hitter.
Through five innings of perfect pitching, Bennett mowed down 6 in that span, giving hope that we might witness history at Dunker Field.
With Hamilton Heights being the home team on the scoreboard, Lebanon had to hold the Huskies in the bottom of the 6th to secure the 10-run win on D, after scoring five in the top to grab the double-digit lead.
Forcing Ian Nicholson into a ground out back to the mound, Bennett got a little antsy for personal history.
It became that much more difficult. He lost his perfect game bid by walking Jacob Hammel on four pitches. Then, lost the no-hit effort with Seth Harris' single up the middle into center for two runners on. That set him off a little and Bennett struck out Christian McGill and Sam Reel to end the game for a one-hit shutout, 10-0.
2014 Noblesville Classic All-Tournament Team
P - Jackson Bennett (Lebanon): 6 IP, H, BB, (lost perfect game/no-hit bid in 6th); 5-7, 2 RBI, 3 runs, 5 singles
P - Jackson Bland (Lebanon): 5 IP, 5H, 2R, 4 SO, BB; 0-2, R
P - Cory Conway (Noblesville): 5 IP, 4H, BB, 7 SO (hitters = 0-15 when CC ahead in count)
C - Bret Rundle (Noblesville): 1-4, 3B
1B - Dax McLochlin (Noblesville): 4-6, 4 runs, 2 2B, 2 1B, 3 RBIs, 2 SF, SB
2B - Vinny Essig (Noblesville): 2-5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs (grand slam)
3B - Nathan Kincaid (Lebanon): 5-6, 6 runs, 4 RBIs, 3B, 2 2Bs, 2 1Bs
SS - Garrett Christman (Noblesville): 2-5, 4 runs, 2 RBIs, 2 1Bs, 3 BBs
OF - Andrew Wilson (Noblesville): 3-6, 5 runs, 2B, RBI, 2 1Bs, 2 SBs, 2 BBs
OF - Brian McLean (Noblesville): 3-6, 4 runs, 3 1Bs, RBI, 3 SBs, BB
OF - Easton Brock (Noblesville): 4-4, 2B, 3 1Bs, RBI, 3 SBs, BB
OF - Sam Reel (Hamilton Heights): 2-6, 2 RBIs, 2 1Bs, R, BB
DH - Caleb Myers (Lebanon): 5-6, 4 RBIs, 3 runs, 2 2Bs, 3 1Bs
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Sunday, May 18, 2014
4A #7 Millers sweep Hamilton Southeastern, keep 1 game lead in HCC
The Millers are fully aware that they are, and have been for a while, in the driver's seat of the Hoosier Crossroads Conference standings. A week and a half ago, Noblesville was caught a littler off guard being swept by McCutcheon in two close games, 5-4 (home) and 8-6 (road).
As per every other sport that Noblesville meets up with Hamilton Southeastern, the competition level rises and they wouldn't probably have it no other way.
4A #7 Noblesville 4, Hamilton Southeastern 3 - (Thursday, May 14 at The Dunk)
Royals 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 - 3 5 2
Millers 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 - 4 8 4
Garrett Christman got the nod on the mound and couldn't have seemed more dialed in. He retired the side in the first, 1-2-3, keeping the ball in the infield for the first couple outs and striking out Aaron McGee to end the inning.
The focus continued with two groundouts to start the 2nd. Erik DeWael struck out swinging and managed to dart down to first when the third strike got by catcher Bret Rundle. Andrew Bohm singled for runners at first and second to give GC his first setback on the hill. Then, Brian Gradison took the first pitch he saw and slapped it into shallow right field, driving DeWael home from second for a 1-0 Royals lead.
Hamilton Southeastern hurler Bryan Roberts knew that Vinny Essig has some clout, so it was going to take a little strategy with he and catch Brian Gradison.
That didn't work on Vinny. Roberts served up a fastball down the middle to Essig and he lofted it up and over Royals' left fielder Jack Casey for a solo home run to start the 2nd. It was Vinny's 4th longball of the year and we were tied 1-1.
Christman sent down the visitors in order in the 3rd, striking out Collin Miller and forcing David Herrman and Aaron McGee to fly out and ground out, respectively.
The Royals bats got to Garrett a little in the 4th. Carter Poiry took a one-out double to left and was moved over to third on DeWael's infield single for runners at the corners. Bohm K'd to put the Millers in position to get out of the inning. Gradison reached on a throwing error by third baseman Connor Christman and Poiry score to make it 2-1. Jack Casey gave Hamilton Southeastern a 3-1 edge with Jack Casey's double down the left field line that scored DeWael for the second time.
After that two-run 4th, GC got back in his groove and kept the Southeastern bats somewhat silent for the final three frames.
Heading into the bottom of the 7th, there was a vibe in the air that something great was about to happen with the Millers coming to bat.
Zack St. Pierre smoked the first pitch from Roberts over the head of RF Collin Miller for a leadoff double, igniting the home crowd. Two batters later, Connor Christman reached on an error by Poiry, which advanced St. Pierre to third with one out.
Pinch hitter Austin Shirley took at 0-1 pitch and drilled it up the middle and into center, scoring St. Pierre and closing the gap to a 3-2 Hamilton SE lead. Matt Swearingen came in to pinch run for Connor and scored on a fielder's choice by Andrew Wilson. The game was now tied 3-3.
Brian McLean walked up to the batter's box with the opportunity right in front of him and took full advantage of it. McLean drove the first pitch he saw from reliever David Herrmann on a rope to left center. Wilson showed his speed and scored the game-winning run all the way from first.
A walk-off RBI-double. Game 1 went to the Millers in dramatic fashion, 4-3.
Garrett Christman joined McLean by each notching two hits. GC had a pretty good night on the mound, striking out a season-high 9 batters, allowing 4 hits, 3 runs (unearned) and walking none in a complete game effort.
4A #7 Noblesville 9, Hamilton Southeastern 0 (Friday, May 15 - Grand Park, Westfield)
Noblesville 2 4 0 2 1 0 0 - 9 11 1
Hamilton SE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0
With the great weather that we have in Central Indiana, it really is hard to tell what kind of tempuratures and weather patterns we'll be faced with. Originally, the road game against Hamilton Southeastern was slated to be on Tuesday, May 13 over in Fishers at Hamilton Southeastern's home field. Instead, the game was shifted to brand new Grand Park in Westfield. The Royals' home stadium doesn't have lights and weather obviously played a role.
Friday night, it didn't matter where this game was being played. Noblesville was riding high from the night before and Brian McLean's walk-off double to beat the Royals at The Dunk, 4-3.
The momentum kept going in Noblesville's favor for sure.
A lot of factors played into Noblesville completely shutting down Hamilton Southeastern's offense and ripping apart their defense at the plate.
Zack St. Pierre was lights out on the mound in his 6 innings. The senior southpaw wiffed 8 Royals, gave up one hit and walked just one. Fellow senior lefty Trevor Salmon came in and worked the 7th in flawless order, striking out one and giving up just one hit to combine with St. Pierre for the two-hit shutout of HCC rival Hamilton Southeastern.
Garrett Christman, St. Pierre and Bret Rundle all three knocked a pair of hits to lead the Miller offensive attack. Andrew Wilson went 1-for-3 with 3 runs scored. Getting walked in three of his plate appearances really helped him to score 3 of Noblesville's 9 runs.
Hamilton Southeastern drops its record to 8-14 and 4-10 in the HCC.
Following the sweep of Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville ups their overall record to 18-6 overall and 11-3 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play.
The Millers also maintain one full game ahead of McCutcheon in the HCC standings, two games up on Fishers and three games distance from Brownsburg.
Noblesville starts a crucial series with Westfield on Monday, May 19 at home, followed by the second matchup of the series at Westfield on Tuesday.
The Millers finish up the week with Senior Night at The Dunk on Thursday with Harrison (West Lafayette) and make their final trip to Harrison on Friday night to end the regular season.
It's coming up quicker than expected. The 2014 IHSAA State Baseball Tournament pairings will be announced on Tuesday, May 20 at 8 a.m. Sectional play will start on Wednesday, May 28. Noblesville will host the 4A Sectional 8 tournament at Dunker Field.
If you're a fan of what you're reading right now, don't hesitate to follow me on Twitter at @MillerVoiceNDCB!
GO MILLERS!
As per every other sport that Noblesville meets up with Hamilton Southeastern, the competition level rises and they wouldn't probably have it no other way.
4A #7 Noblesville 4, Hamilton Southeastern 3 - (Thursday, May 14 at The Dunk)
Royals 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 - 3 5 2
Millers 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 - 4 8 4
Garrett Christman got the nod on the mound and couldn't have seemed more dialed in. He retired the side in the first, 1-2-3, keeping the ball in the infield for the first couple outs and striking out Aaron McGee to end the inning.
The focus continued with two groundouts to start the 2nd. Erik DeWael struck out swinging and managed to dart down to first when the third strike got by catcher Bret Rundle. Andrew Bohm singled for runners at first and second to give GC his first setback on the hill. Then, Brian Gradison took the first pitch he saw and slapped it into shallow right field, driving DeWael home from second for a 1-0 Royals lead.
Hamilton Southeastern hurler Bryan Roberts knew that Vinny Essig has some clout, so it was going to take a little strategy with he and catch Brian Gradison.
That didn't work on Vinny. Roberts served up a fastball down the middle to Essig and he lofted it up and over Royals' left fielder Jack Casey for a solo home run to start the 2nd. It was Vinny's 4th longball of the year and we were tied 1-1.
Christman sent down the visitors in order in the 3rd, striking out Collin Miller and forcing David Herrman and Aaron McGee to fly out and ground out, respectively.
The Royals bats got to Garrett a little in the 4th. Carter Poiry took a one-out double to left and was moved over to third on DeWael's infield single for runners at the corners. Bohm K'd to put the Millers in position to get out of the inning. Gradison reached on a throwing error by third baseman Connor Christman and Poiry score to make it 2-1. Jack Casey gave Hamilton Southeastern a 3-1 edge with Jack Casey's double down the left field line that scored DeWael for the second time.
After that two-run 4th, GC got back in his groove and kept the Southeastern bats somewhat silent for the final three frames.
Heading into the bottom of the 7th, there was a vibe in the air that something great was about to happen with the Millers coming to bat.
Zack St. Pierre smoked the first pitch from Roberts over the head of RF Collin Miller for a leadoff double, igniting the home crowd. Two batters later, Connor Christman reached on an error by Poiry, which advanced St. Pierre to third with one out.
Pinch hitter Austin Shirley took at 0-1 pitch and drilled it up the middle and into center, scoring St. Pierre and closing the gap to a 3-2 Hamilton SE lead. Matt Swearingen came in to pinch run for Connor and scored on a fielder's choice by Andrew Wilson. The game was now tied 3-3.
Brian McLean walked up to the batter's box with the opportunity right in front of him and took full advantage of it. McLean drove the first pitch he saw from reliever David Herrmann on a rope to left center. Wilson showed his speed and scored the game-winning run all the way from first.
A walk-off RBI-double. Game 1 went to the Millers in dramatic fashion, 4-3.
Garrett Christman joined McLean by each notching two hits. GC had a pretty good night on the mound, striking out a season-high 9 batters, allowing 4 hits, 3 runs (unearned) and walking none in a complete game effort.
4A #7 Noblesville 9, Hamilton Southeastern 0 (Friday, May 15 - Grand Park, Westfield)
Noblesville 2 4 0 2 1 0 0 - 9 11 1
Hamilton SE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0
With the great weather that we have in Central Indiana, it really is hard to tell what kind of tempuratures and weather patterns we'll be faced with. Originally, the road game against Hamilton Southeastern was slated to be on Tuesday, May 13 over in Fishers at Hamilton Southeastern's home field. Instead, the game was shifted to brand new Grand Park in Westfield. The Royals' home stadium doesn't have lights and weather obviously played a role.
Friday night, it didn't matter where this game was being played. Noblesville was riding high from the night before and Brian McLean's walk-off double to beat the Royals at The Dunk, 4-3.
The momentum kept going in Noblesville's favor for sure.
A lot of factors played into Noblesville completely shutting down Hamilton Southeastern's offense and ripping apart their defense at the plate.
Zack St. Pierre was lights out on the mound in his 6 innings. The senior southpaw wiffed 8 Royals, gave up one hit and walked just one. Fellow senior lefty Trevor Salmon came in and worked the 7th in flawless order, striking out one and giving up just one hit to combine with St. Pierre for the two-hit shutout of HCC rival Hamilton Southeastern.
Garrett Christman, St. Pierre and Bret Rundle all three knocked a pair of hits to lead the Miller offensive attack. Andrew Wilson went 1-for-3 with 3 runs scored. Getting walked in three of his plate appearances really helped him to score 3 of Noblesville's 9 runs.
Hamilton Southeastern drops its record to 8-14 and 4-10 in the HCC.
Following the sweep of Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville ups their overall record to 18-6 overall and 11-3 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play.
The Millers also maintain one full game ahead of McCutcheon in the HCC standings, two games up on Fishers and three games distance from Brownsburg.
Noblesville starts a crucial series with Westfield on Monday, May 19 at home, followed by the second matchup of the series at Westfield on Tuesday.
The Millers finish up the week with Senior Night at The Dunk on Thursday with Harrison (West Lafayette) and make their final trip to Harrison on Friday night to end the regular season.
It's coming up quicker than expected. The 2014 IHSAA State Baseball Tournament pairings will be announced on Tuesday, May 20 at 8 a.m. Sectional play will start on Wednesday, May 28. Noblesville will host the 4A Sectional 8 tournament at Dunker Field.
If you're a fan of what you're reading right now, don't hesitate to follow me on Twitter at @MillerVoiceNDCB!
GO MILLERS!
Friday, May 16, 2014
McCutcheon sweeps Noblesville; Millers sweep Avon to cap off 2-2 week
Entering the series with outgoing HCC rival McCutcheon, the Millers knew full well that they had two very tough games ahead in back-to-back nights.
There were a handful of professional baseball scouts in attendance at The Dunk on Monday night to catch a glimpse of McCutcheon's senior all-state candidate and pro prospect Logan Sowers, but as per usual, Keever's squad kept focused on the task at hand.
Lately, the Millers have a target on their back, being in sole possession of first place in the Hoosier Crossroads conference entering the second week of May. Having one league loss, is a rarity in any season.
Standing with a 7-3 league mark, Noblesville took Wednesday and Thursday to get back to practice before heading to Avon on Friday night.
McCutcheon 5, 4A #6 Noblesville 4 - (Monday, May 5 at The Dunk)
McCutcheon 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 - 5 5 2
Noblesville 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 - 4 8 2
Garrett Christman started off Game 1 cool, calm and collected on the mound. Going right through the Mavericks' lineup in the first, GC looked like he was on a mission.
The second inning was a different story for McCutcheon.
Jake Burton's Mavericks found a way to get to Christman on the mound, more than he previously had been roughed up all season long. McCutcheon managed to put four runs on the board in the 2nd. Three hits, two hit into a fielder's choice and another walked. But, that wasn't what threw off the Millers' D.
McCutcheon's 8 and 9 hole hitters reached consecutively on errors by Vinny Essig at SS and Michael Carmosino as 2B, resulting in the final two runs of the inning to cross and the Mavs were up 4-0.
Zack St. Pierre cut the deficit to three runs with a one out, solo home run over the right field fence to get the Millers on the board. Unfortunately, a preceding strikeout by Vinny Essig and fly outs from Trevor Salmon and Connor Christman put a halt to any other action from Noblesville.
Hann led off the 3rd with a singled to left and was driven in a couple batters later by TJ Harmon for a 5-1 McCutcheon lead.
Noblesville got their bats on the ball for four hits combined in the third and fourth, but weren't able to muster any runs from them.
The black & gold came back alive in the bottom of the 5th though. Bret Rundle singling to left led things off. Andrew Wilson came up and duplicated with a slap to left. Brian McLean saw a pitch he wanted right away. McLean tripled to right center in the gap to plate bother pinch runner Brady Lutz and Wilson. He also managed to make it home himself on the play with a throwing error on Maverick second baseman Caleb Jordy.
Just like that, the Millers had quickly made it 5-4 game.
From that point, both starting pitchers continued to be dialed in and allowed nothing more offensively. That left us with the final score of 5-4, McCutcheon taking Game 1 at Noblesville.
McLean and St. Pierre were the sparkplugs for Noblesville at the dish. McLean's two-run triple that he wound up scoring on, St. Pierre's solo home run and Rundle's pair of singles were the bright spots for the home standing Millers.
Garrett Christman pitched a solid seven inning complete game, striking out 8 Mavericks. One bad inning that produced 4 runs, 3 hits, two Noblesville defensive errors and three other base runners proved to be the difference in this HCC battle, won by McCutcheon.
McCutcheon 8, 4A #6 Noblesville 6 - (Tuesday, May 6 at McCutcheon)
Noblesville 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 - 6 9 2
McCutcheon 1 0 0 2 5 0 x - 8 12 3
Game 2 of this HCC series was a game of spurts. In my 6 seasons as the PA voice of Noblesville baseball, I only recall Noblesville and McCutcheon splitting their season series and it being an absolute dogfight, no matter where the game is located.
That was the case in the 2014 and final version of this rivalry as Hoosier Crossroads Conference foes. It has already been established that the Millers and Mavericks will meet again in 2015 for the first time as non-conference rivals, with the location yet to be determined.
Out of the three Lafayette schools leaving the HCC (also Lafayette Jeff and Harrison), it's almost a no-brainer that McCutcheon would be one to stay on the Noblesville schedule.
McCutcheon took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but that didn't last long at all.
Noblesville came back in the front half of the 2nd with a four run inning. Adding another in the top of the 4th and it was 5-1 Noblesville.
There are times you should feel good about your lead and times where it can vanish in no time. In the Mavericks' 4th and 5th inning at-bats, the hosts put up 2 and 5, respectively, on the board and took an 8-5 lead.
The Millers scored one more time in the top of the 6th, but that was all from there and McCutcheon came out with an 8-6 win, sweeping the Millers in the two-game set.
McLean once again had a great night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI's. Garrett Christman also drove in two with a double. St. Pierre had a couple hits, including a double and Bret Rundle added a triple.
St. Pierre started on the mound, but was roughed up a little. In 3.2 innings, the long-haired lefty gave up 8 hits, 3 runs (all earned), walking one, fanning another, while one of those hits was a home run.
Trevor Salmon came in to relieve St. P, but couldn't quite keep the Mavs' bats quiet. Salmon threw 2.1 innings, was hit 4 times, allowed 5 runs in the 5th (unearned), struck out 4 and walked one.
Getting swept, Noblesville dropped to 14-6 overall and 7-3 in the HCC.
4A #6 Noblesville 7, Avon 4 - (Friday, May 9 at Avon)
Millers 1 0 1 0 1 2 2 - 7 9 0
Orioles 1 0 1 0 2 0 x - 4 8 2
After getting swept in their two games with McCutcheon to start the week, Noblesville had to do something to right the ship and get back to their winning ways. The Mavericks snapped the Millers' 7-game winning streak and it was time to start another streak.
The Orioles give the Millers all they can handle and that's what happened in Game 1 of this series.
Each squad put one run on the board in both the 1st and 3rd to keep things even through three innings.
Avon edged out Noblesville 2-1 in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead on a two-run home run by Khristian Reynolds and left the Millers' backs against the wall on the road with just two chances left at the plate.
The 6th and 7th became statement innings for the Noblesville offense. Keever's Millers scored two runs each in those frames, to overtake the host Orioles and come away with a big road victory, 7-4.
Dax McLochlin got the start on the hill, working 4.1 innings and had his roughest outing as a pitcher thus far this season. Six hits allowed, three runs (all earned), while striking out one and walking another.
Trevor Salmon came in to relieve Dax in the 5th to get the win, striking out four Orioles.
Andrew Wilson led the way at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance, scoring twice and driving in one, thanks to a pair of triples.
Zack St. Pierre also had a couple extra-base hits (doubles), going 2-for-3 and scoring.
Garrett Christman had a two-run double and sophomore Connor Christman also doubled, driving in a couple of runs.
4A #6 Noblesville 4, Avon 0 - (Saturday, May 10 at The Dunk)
Orioles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 1
Millers 0 2 0 1 1 1 x - 4 5 0
It didn't take much, but the Millers got back to their winning ways in a hurry. After a comeback win the night before at Avon, Noblesville posted a 4-0 home field shutout of the Orioles.
Garrett Christman continued his dominance on the mound with another solid complete game performance. The senior Butler commit had 8 strikeouts in his 7 innings and only allowed 3 hits and two walks. GC also added a triple to his credit at the plate.
The Millers really didn't need too much offense on a day when the elder Christman was mowing down Avon hitters. All Garrett would need to do is just keep his composure and his defense would do the rest. That is exactly what happened.
Pressure was off of the Miller offense, in a way.
Zack St. Pierre belted a two-run home run to the opposite field, just inside the left field foul pole for a 2-0 Miller lead in the 2nd. Bret Rundle also doubled to drive in a run.
They would put one run on the left field scoreboard in both the 4th and 5th to tally up the final margin of 4-0, a three-hitter by Christman.
These two victories move the Millers to 16-6 overall and 9-3 in the HCC.
Come back to millervoiceonsport.blogspot.com on Sunday for a recap on the HCC series with Hamilton Southeastern and also coverage of all 4 Noblesville Classic games!
Also, don't hesitate to follow me on Twitter: @MillerVoiceNDCB
GO MILLERS!
There were a handful of professional baseball scouts in attendance at The Dunk on Monday night to catch a glimpse of McCutcheon's senior all-state candidate and pro prospect Logan Sowers, but as per usual, Keever's squad kept focused on the task at hand.
Lately, the Millers have a target on their back, being in sole possession of first place in the Hoosier Crossroads conference entering the second week of May. Having one league loss, is a rarity in any season.
Standing with a 7-3 league mark, Noblesville took Wednesday and Thursday to get back to practice before heading to Avon on Friday night.
McCutcheon 5, 4A #6 Noblesville 4 - (Monday, May 5 at The Dunk)
McCutcheon 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 - 5 5 2
Noblesville 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 - 4 8 2
Garrett Christman started off Game 1 cool, calm and collected on the mound. Going right through the Mavericks' lineup in the first, GC looked like he was on a mission.
The second inning was a different story for McCutcheon.
Jake Burton's Mavericks found a way to get to Christman on the mound, more than he previously had been roughed up all season long. McCutcheon managed to put four runs on the board in the 2nd. Three hits, two hit into a fielder's choice and another walked. But, that wasn't what threw off the Millers' D.
McCutcheon's 8 and 9 hole hitters reached consecutively on errors by Vinny Essig at SS and Michael Carmosino as 2B, resulting in the final two runs of the inning to cross and the Mavs were up 4-0.
Zack St. Pierre cut the deficit to three runs with a one out, solo home run over the right field fence to get the Millers on the board. Unfortunately, a preceding strikeout by Vinny Essig and fly outs from Trevor Salmon and Connor Christman put a halt to any other action from Noblesville.
Hann led off the 3rd with a singled to left and was driven in a couple batters later by TJ Harmon for a 5-1 McCutcheon lead.
Noblesville got their bats on the ball for four hits combined in the third and fourth, but weren't able to muster any runs from them.
The black & gold came back alive in the bottom of the 5th though. Bret Rundle singling to left led things off. Andrew Wilson came up and duplicated with a slap to left. Brian McLean saw a pitch he wanted right away. McLean tripled to right center in the gap to plate bother pinch runner Brady Lutz and Wilson. He also managed to make it home himself on the play with a throwing error on Maverick second baseman Caleb Jordy.
Just like that, the Millers had quickly made it 5-4 game.
From that point, both starting pitchers continued to be dialed in and allowed nothing more offensively. That left us with the final score of 5-4, McCutcheon taking Game 1 at Noblesville.
McLean and St. Pierre were the sparkplugs for Noblesville at the dish. McLean's two-run triple that he wound up scoring on, St. Pierre's solo home run and Rundle's pair of singles were the bright spots for the home standing Millers.
Garrett Christman pitched a solid seven inning complete game, striking out 8 Mavericks. One bad inning that produced 4 runs, 3 hits, two Noblesville defensive errors and three other base runners proved to be the difference in this HCC battle, won by McCutcheon.
McCutcheon 8, 4A #6 Noblesville 6 - (Tuesday, May 6 at McCutcheon)
Noblesville 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 - 6 9 2
McCutcheon 1 0 0 2 5 0 x - 8 12 3
Game 2 of this HCC series was a game of spurts. In my 6 seasons as the PA voice of Noblesville baseball, I only recall Noblesville and McCutcheon splitting their season series and it being an absolute dogfight, no matter where the game is located.
That was the case in the 2014 and final version of this rivalry as Hoosier Crossroads Conference foes. It has already been established that the Millers and Mavericks will meet again in 2015 for the first time as non-conference rivals, with the location yet to be determined.
Out of the three Lafayette schools leaving the HCC (also Lafayette Jeff and Harrison), it's almost a no-brainer that McCutcheon would be one to stay on the Noblesville schedule.
McCutcheon took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but that didn't last long at all.
Noblesville came back in the front half of the 2nd with a four run inning. Adding another in the top of the 4th and it was 5-1 Noblesville.
There are times you should feel good about your lead and times where it can vanish in no time. In the Mavericks' 4th and 5th inning at-bats, the hosts put up 2 and 5, respectively, on the board and took an 8-5 lead.
The Millers scored one more time in the top of the 6th, but that was all from there and McCutcheon came out with an 8-6 win, sweeping the Millers in the two-game set.
McLean once again had a great night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI's. Garrett Christman also drove in two with a double. St. Pierre had a couple hits, including a double and Bret Rundle added a triple.
St. Pierre started on the mound, but was roughed up a little. In 3.2 innings, the long-haired lefty gave up 8 hits, 3 runs (all earned), walking one, fanning another, while one of those hits was a home run.
Trevor Salmon came in to relieve St. P, but couldn't quite keep the Mavs' bats quiet. Salmon threw 2.1 innings, was hit 4 times, allowed 5 runs in the 5th (unearned), struck out 4 and walked one.
Getting swept, Noblesville dropped to 14-6 overall and 7-3 in the HCC.
4A #6 Noblesville 7, Avon 4 - (Friday, May 9 at Avon)
Millers 1 0 1 0 1 2 2 - 7 9 0
Orioles 1 0 1 0 2 0 x - 4 8 2
After getting swept in their two games with McCutcheon to start the week, Noblesville had to do something to right the ship and get back to their winning ways. The Mavericks snapped the Millers' 7-game winning streak and it was time to start another streak.
The Orioles give the Millers all they can handle and that's what happened in Game 1 of this series.
Each squad put one run on the board in both the 1st and 3rd to keep things even through three innings.
Avon edged out Noblesville 2-1 in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead on a two-run home run by Khristian Reynolds and left the Millers' backs against the wall on the road with just two chances left at the plate.
The 6th and 7th became statement innings for the Noblesville offense. Keever's Millers scored two runs each in those frames, to overtake the host Orioles and come away with a big road victory, 7-4.
Dax McLochlin got the start on the hill, working 4.1 innings and had his roughest outing as a pitcher thus far this season. Six hits allowed, three runs (all earned), while striking out one and walking another.
Trevor Salmon came in to relieve Dax in the 5th to get the win, striking out four Orioles.
Andrew Wilson led the way at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance, scoring twice and driving in one, thanks to a pair of triples.
Zack St. Pierre also had a couple extra-base hits (doubles), going 2-for-3 and scoring.
Garrett Christman had a two-run double and sophomore Connor Christman also doubled, driving in a couple of runs.
4A #6 Noblesville 4, Avon 0 - (Saturday, May 10 at The Dunk)
Orioles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 3 1
Millers 0 2 0 1 1 1 x - 4 5 0
It didn't take much, but the Millers got back to their winning ways in a hurry. After a comeback win the night before at Avon, Noblesville posted a 4-0 home field shutout of the Orioles.
Garrett Christman continued his dominance on the mound with another solid complete game performance. The senior Butler commit had 8 strikeouts in his 7 innings and only allowed 3 hits and two walks. GC also added a triple to his credit at the plate.
The Millers really didn't need too much offense on a day when the elder Christman was mowing down Avon hitters. All Garrett would need to do is just keep his composure and his defense would do the rest. That is exactly what happened.
Pressure was off of the Miller offense, in a way.
Zack St. Pierre belted a two-run home run to the opposite field, just inside the left field foul pole for a 2-0 Miller lead in the 2nd. Bret Rundle also doubled to drive in a run.
They would put one run on the left field scoreboard in both the 4th and 5th to tally up the final margin of 4-0, a three-hitter by Christman.
These two victories move the Millers to 16-6 overall and 9-3 in the HCC.
Come back to millervoiceonsport.blogspot.com on Sunday for a recap on the HCC series with Hamilton Southeastern and also coverage of all 4 Noblesville Classic games!
Also, don't hesitate to follow me on Twitter: @MillerVoiceNDCB
GO MILLERS!
Sunday, May 4, 2014
4A #8 Millers outslug Frankfort Hot Dogs in Saturday night tilt
Prior to Saturday night's game at The Dunk with Frankfort, there was a good vibe throughout the complex, to say the least. Noblesville was riding a 6-game winning streak that includes series sweeps over Brownsburg (then-ranked), Zionsville and Lafayette Jeff.
Frankfort came to Noblesville with a pretty decent season to date with a 9-5 overall record and 4-2 in the Sagamore Conference.
The connection with this game being scheduled is pretty simple and makes sense. Frankfort could wind up making some noise in their 3A sectional here in a few weeks and they could probably learn a lot from playing a team like Noblesville. Also, Noblesville hitting/3rd base coach Kevin Fitzgerald was in Frankfort head coach Andy Dudley's wedding.
This game could also be an exposure game for sophomore starting pitcher Jarrod Smith. He's the three-sport star athlete at Frankfort. Starting running back for the football team, point guard on the hardwood for the Hot Dogs and ace pitcher/outfielder for the baseball team. Just a sophomore, I'm sure we'll be seeing and hearing about Smith in his final two years as a high school student-athlete.
4A #8 Noblesville 10, Frankfort 1 - (Saturday, May 3 at The Dunk)
Hot Dogs 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 4 2
Millers 2 2 0 3 0 3 x - 10 13 2
Dax McLochlin got the start on the mound and looked to move his record to 4-0, but more importantly, improve Noblesville's overall record with a victory.
The junior right-hander was dialed in on the bump from the get-go. Working 5 solid innings, Dax kept the Hot Dogs' offense in check, only allowing 3 hits, walking one and fanning three.
The Millers' offense got started right away in their half of the 1st. Andrew Wilson grounded out and Brian McLean walked to start off the inning. Garrett Christman dropped a single to shallow right-center to move Mclean over to third into scoring position. Dax walked for Millers on all three bases. Essig stepped in the box next and knocked a 2-2 two-run single to score both McLean and Garrett for a 2-0 Noblesville lead after one.
Back at it in the bottom of two, the Millers had two quick outs at the dish before they scored another pair under that two-out pressure.
Wilson walked and was followed by McLean doubling him home for the third Miller run. GC came up next and lined a single up the middle and into center field to score McLean easily from second. Noblesville was sitting comfortable at 4-0 through two.
Keever's crew was eager to keep the bats going and that's what they did again in the 4th. Jarrod Smith seemed taken by surprise being roughed up by Noblesville like he was.
Andrew Wilson drew his second straight base-on-balls. McLean singled Wilson to second. Then, the two put on a double steal for runners at second and third. With Garrett Christman up, a Jarrod Smith pitch bounced in the dirt and catcher Diego Santos couldn't handle it and Wilson made his way across home plate via an error by Santos.
McLean was now at 3rd and four pitches later was driven in on a Dax McLochlin single to left and just like that, it was 6-0.
Dudley made a pitching change and brought in Leovardo Lopez. The junior Lopez got off to a pretty shaky start. Pinch runner Matt Swearingen did get caught stealing while Essig was up. Then, Vinny walked. Zack St. Pierre was hit by a pitch and he and Essig both advanced on a wild pitch by Lopez. That gave Noblesville runners in scoring position and 2nd and 3rd. Essig scored on an error on Lopez on the mound for a 7-0 score.
Frankfort was able to get some production out of their offense in the top of the 6th. Cory Conway was now in out of the Miller bullpen to get some work in. The sophomore reliever struck out Jose Valdes (looking) to get comfortable. Jarrod Smith reached base for his second time on error. This time it was third baseman Connor Christman that wasn't able to handle Smith's groundball. Smith got to 2nd on a passed ball and to 3rd on a wild pitch. Leovardo Lopez hooked a single past Garrett Christman at short, scoring Smith for the Hot Dogs' lone run of the night.
The Millers were bound and determined to keep the offensive output flowing in the bottom of the 6th and they did.
It was the second full inning that Daniel Santos was in to pitch in relief for Frankfort. He struck out three Millers in the 5th and was trying to duplicate that in the 6th.
Noblesville had other things in mind, like putting more runs on the scoreboard and furthering the gap between they and the Hot Dogs.
Essig led off with a walk. Santos attempted to pick him off at first, but overthrew Christ Stuard at first and Vinny sprinted his way to third. Santos was able to retire St. Pierre and Salmon to get two fast outs. Connor Christman walked. Santos balked, which got Christman to second and allowed Vinny to walk home and touch the plate.
Austin Shirley came in to pinch hit for Easton Brock. Shirley singled on a liner up the middle into centerfield, scoring Christman from second. Wilson singled to follow Shirley. McLean picked up RBI #2, as he singled to left to send Shirley home to give the final score of 10-1 out on the left field score board.
Zack St. Pierre came in to pitch the top of the 7th to keep his arm loose for a busy HCC schedule this week. The senior southpaw threw 12 pitches (9 strikes), struck out the side to end the game.
Dax McLochlin picked up the win, improving his record on the mound to 4-0. Between he, Conway and St. Pierre, they sent down 8 Frankfort batters on strikes. A great combined effort by the trio to only allow one run and four hits.
Brian McLean highlighted the Miller hitting, going 4-for-4 with a walk, double and 3 singles, while scoring 3 runs, driving in two runs and not to mention, 2 stolen bases. Garrett Christman had a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Essig drove in a pair of runs on his two-run single in the first and Austin Shirley had a great pinch-hit plate appearance to single and drive in a run.
Frankfort drops to 9-6 overall on the season and Noblesville keeps its winning streak to seven games in a row and winners of 8 of their last 10.
The Millers start a pretty busy and pivotal week in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference. McCutcheon comes to The Dunk on Monday and the Millers make the trip to Lafayette to play Game 2 of the series, both being 6 p.m. starts.
Later in the week, Noblesville travels to Avon on Friday evening for a 6 p.m. first pitch. The Orioles come to The Dunk on Saturday at noon to wrap up the week in Game 2 of the series.
7th Annual Millerball Golf Outing
Just a quick reminder to all of you out there to get signed up for the 7th Annual Millerball Golf Outing. This year it will be held once again at Fox Prairie Golf Course in Noblesville on Monday, June 23.
10th year head coach Justin Keever and his Noblesville High School baseball staff, along with past players and friends invite you for a fun, competitive round of golf in the 6th Annual Noblesville Miller Baseball Golf Outing at Fox Prairie Golf Course in Noblesville, IN. The format will be a Florida Scramble. Teams will compete for cash prizes, buy mulligans, win prizes, and participate in our silent auction and raffle. Money will go to fund the 2015 Spring Trip to Tennessee, equipment, full infield tarp, and Dunker Field Maintenance.
Register your foursomes and/or make your donations at www.millerball.com. All the details you will need involving the 7th Annual Millerball Golf Outing can be found on the front page of the official web site of Noblesville Miller baseball, www.millerball.com.
Registration and silent auction begin at 12 p.m. Foursomes will be spread out throughout the course and there will be a shot gun start at 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided beforehand and dinner will be in the pavilion at Fox Prairie Golf Course, along with post-season awards for the Noblesville Miller baseball teams.
It's going to be a great week of Millerball! GO MILLERS!
Frankfort came to Noblesville with a pretty decent season to date with a 9-5 overall record and 4-2 in the Sagamore Conference.
The connection with this game being scheduled is pretty simple and makes sense. Frankfort could wind up making some noise in their 3A sectional here in a few weeks and they could probably learn a lot from playing a team like Noblesville. Also, Noblesville hitting/3rd base coach Kevin Fitzgerald was in Frankfort head coach Andy Dudley's wedding.
This game could also be an exposure game for sophomore starting pitcher Jarrod Smith. He's the three-sport star athlete at Frankfort. Starting running back for the football team, point guard on the hardwood for the Hot Dogs and ace pitcher/outfielder for the baseball team. Just a sophomore, I'm sure we'll be seeing and hearing about Smith in his final two years as a high school student-athlete.
4A #8 Noblesville 10, Frankfort 1 - (Saturday, May 3 at The Dunk)
Hot Dogs 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 4 2
Millers 2 2 0 3 0 3 x - 10 13 2
Dax McLochlin got the start on the mound and looked to move his record to 4-0, but more importantly, improve Noblesville's overall record with a victory.
The junior right-hander was dialed in on the bump from the get-go. Working 5 solid innings, Dax kept the Hot Dogs' offense in check, only allowing 3 hits, walking one and fanning three.
The Millers' offense got started right away in their half of the 1st. Andrew Wilson grounded out and Brian McLean walked to start off the inning. Garrett Christman dropped a single to shallow right-center to move Mclean over to third into scoring position. Dax walked for Millers on all three bases. Essig stepped in the box next and knocked a 2-2 two-run single to score both McLean and Garrett for a 2-0 Noblesville lead after one.
Back at it in the bottom of two, the Millers had two quick outs at the dish before they scored another pair under that two-out pressure.
Wilson walked and was followed by McLean doubling him home for the third Miller run. GC came up next and lined a single up the middle and into center field to score McLean easily from second. Noblesville was sitting comfortable at 4-0 through two.
Keever's crew was eager to keep the bats going and that's what they did again in the 4th. Jarrod Smith seemed taken by surprise being roughed up by Noblesville like he was.
Andrew Wilson drew his second straight base-on-balls. McLean singled Wilson to second. Then, the two put on a double steal for runners at second and third. With Garrett Christman up, a Jarrod Smith pitch bounced in the dirt and catcher Diego Santos couldn't handle it and Wilson made his way across home plate via an error by Santos.
McLean was now at 3rd and four pitches later was driven in on a Dax McLochlin single to left and just like that, it was 6-0.
Dudley made a pitching change and brought in Leovardo Lopez. The junior Lopez got off to a pretty shaky start. Pinch runner Matt Swearingen did get caught stealing while Essig was up. Then, Vinny walked. Zack St. Pierre was hit by a pitch and he and Essig both advanced on a wild pitch by Lopez. That gave Noblesville runners in scoring position and 2nd and 3rd. Essig scored on an error on Lopez on the mound for a 7-0 score.
Frankfort was able to get some production out of their offense in the top of the 6th. Cory Conway was now in out of the Miller bullpen to get some work in. The sophomore reliever struck out Jose Valdes (looking) to get comfortable. Jarrod Smith reached base for his second time on error. This time it was third baseman Connor Christman that wasn't able to handle Smith's groundball. Smith got to 2nd on a passed ball and to 3rd on a wild pitch. Leovardo Lopez hooked a single past Garrett Christman at short, scoring Smith for the Hot Dogs' lone run of the night.
The Millers were bound and determined to keep the offensive output flowing in the bottom of the 6th and they did.
It was the second full inning that Daniel Santos was in to pitch in relief for Frankfort. He struck out three Millers in the 5th and was trying to duplicate that in the 6th.
Noblesville had other things in mind, like putting more runs on the scoreboard and furthering the gap between they and the Hot Dogs.
Essig led off with a walk. Santos attempted to pick him off at first, but overthrew Christ Stuard at first and Vinny sprinted his way to third. Santos was able to retire St. Pierre and Salmon to get two fast outs. Connor Christman walked. Santos balked, which got Christman to second and allowed Vinny to walk home and touch the plate.
Austin Shirley came in to pinch hit for Easton Brock. Shirley singled on a liner up the middle into centerfield, scoring Christman from second. Wilson singled to follow Shirley. McLean picked up RBI #2, as he singled to left to send Shirley home to give the final score of 10-1 out on the left field score board.
Zack St. Pierre came in to pitch the top of the 7th to keep his arm loose for a busy HCC schedule this week. The senior southpaw threw 12 pitches (9 strikes), struck out the side to end the game.
Dax McLochlin picked up the win, improving his record on the mound to 4-0. Between he, Conway and St. Pierre, they sent down 8 Frankfort batters on strikes. A great combined effort by the trio to only allow one run and four hits.
Brian McLean highlighted the Miller hitting, going 4-for-4 with a walk, double and 3 singles, while scoring 3 runs, driving in two runs and not to mention, 2 stolen bases. Garrett Christman had a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Essig drove in a pair of runs on his two-run single in the first and Austin Shirley had a great pinch-hit plate appearance to single and drive in a run.
Frankfort drops to 9-6 overall on the season and Noblesville keeps its winning streak to seven games in a row and winners of 8 of their last 10.
The Millers start a pretty busy and pivotal week in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference. McCutcheon comes to The Dunk on Monday and the Millers make the trip to Lafayette to play Game 2 of the series, both being 6 p.m. starts.
Later in the week, Noblesville travels to Avon on Friday evening for a 6 p.m. first pitch. The Orioles come to The Dunk on Saturday at noon to wrap up the week in Game 2 of the series.
7th Annual Millerball Golf Outing
Just a quick reminder to all of you out there to get signed up for the 7th Annual Millerball Golf Outing. This year it will be held once again at Fox Prairie Golf Course in Noblesville on Monday, June 23.
10th year head coach Justin Keever and his Noblesville High School baseball staff, along with past players and friends invite you for a fun, competitive round of golf in the 6th Annual Noblesville Miller Baseball Golf Outing at Fox Prairie Golf Course in Noblesville, IN. The format will be a Florida Scramble. Teams will compete for cash prizes, buy mulligans, win prizes, and participate in our silent auction and raffle. Money will go to fund the 2015 Spring Trip to Tennessee, equipment, full infield tarp, and Dunker Field Maintenance.
Register your foursomes and/or make your donations at www.millerball.com. All the details you will need involving the 7th Annual Millerball Golf Outing can be found on the front page of the official web site of Noblesville Miller baseball, www.millerball.com.
Registration and silent auction begin at 12 p.m. Foursomes will be spread out throughout the course and there will be a shot gun start at 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided beforehand and dinner will be in the pavilion at Fox Prairie Golf Course, along with post-season awards for the Noblesville Miller baseball teams.
It's going to be a great week of Millerball! GO MILLERS!
Saturday, May 3, 2014
4A #8 Noblesville sweeps Lafayette Jeff in convincing fashion
It will be pretty different, when it comes to scheduling, starting this Fall sports season when Noblesville no longer plays Lafayette Jeff, McCutcheon and Harrison (West Lafayette) as a part of their Hoosier Crossroads Conference slate. The three Lafayette area schools have decided to split away from the HCC and join Noblesville's former conference, the North Central Conference.
As the years have gone by, all three schools have become conference rivals of the Millers and it will indeed be odd not having them as opponents in the conference. Some sports will still be able to fit the Bronchos, Mavericks and Raiders into their seasons, but others will be saying goodbye to competitions with these longtime HCC foes.
Noblesville wanted to give the Bronchos a nice parting gift as they leave HCC baseball play. The Millers put together a nice sweep of Lafayette Jeff in pretty convincing fashion on Tuesday and Thursday by a combined 21-3 count.
4A #8 Noblesville 11, Lafayette Jeff 1 (5 inn.) - (Tues. 4/29 at Loeb Stadium, Lafayette)
Millers 5 1 5 0 0 - 11 12 0
Bronchos 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 4 2
The Millers have become "road warriors" as of late and it couldn't come at a better time. Noblesville dropped its first couple of road games at St. Xavier, Kentucky (4-2) and at Fishers (5-1) and since has posted three HCC wins in a row at Brownsburg (3-2), Zionsville (4-3) and Lafayette Jeff (11-1).
The latter was this past Tuesday in Noblesville's last trip to the Bronchos' Loeb Stadium as Lafayette Jeff will be leaving the HCC for the North Central Conference (above).
NHS came out in control from the get-go, putting a five-spot on the board.
Andrew Wilson showed why he's been Justin Keever's leadoff hitter all year long, singling to shortstop Alex Albrecht. Brian McLean doubled on a liner to center, sending Wilson to third. After Garrett Christman lined out to short, Dax McLochlin reached on an error at third, allowing Wilson to score the first run.
Lafayette Jeff only committed two errors, but both happened in the top of the first, and came at third. The second came with Vinny Essig up, scoring McLean and getting Dax to second and then to third on the error itself.
Pitcher Zack St. Pierre singled to right, sending McLochlin home, leading the way for Vinny as he and Dax made it 4-0.
Connor Christman singled to left on an 0-2 pitch to drive in St. Pierre to give Zack a solid 5-0 lead before the Millers even took the field.
St. Pierre made quick work of the Bronchos in the bottom of the first, forcing two groundouts and a strikeout on a dropped third strike.
Wilson and McLean led off the 2nd with back-to-back singles. Wilson was driven home by Garrett Christman's sacrifice fly for a 6-0 Noblesville advantage.
The Miller offense was looking to exhaust the Lafayette Jeff defense and leave Lafayette in less than 7 innings. That plan worked and the Millers poured it on again in the top of the 3rd.
DH Trevor Salmon walked to start the 3rd and Connor Christman hit an infield single, getting Salmon to second and two Millers aboard. Easton Brock singled to short and that loaded the bases full of Millers.
Andrew Wilson soon after doubled to left on a line drive, scoring Salmon and Christman for an 8-0 lead and advancing Brock to third.
McLean singled to score Brock to make it 9-0 and Wilson was now at 3rd with no outs. Garrett Christman drove in his second run of the night (Wilson), when he singled to right on a rope, advancing McLean to second.
McLochlin hit a sacrifice fly to Austin Albrecht in center to get McLean home and Noblesville was making a statement with an 11-0 lead through three innings.
Tyler Gamble came out of the Miller bullpen to pitch 1.1 innings and Lafayette Jeff managed to get three hits off of the senior reliever. The Bronchos also were able to scrap one run home in the 4th, which didn't matter once Noblesville sealed this victory in 5 innings, 11-1.
McLean had a 3-for-4 night at the dish, scoring two runs and driving in another. St. Pierre helped his own cause at the plate, hitting 1-of-3 with a run and two RBI's while also picking up the win on the mound.
Wilson filled up his line in the box score, hitting in all three of his at-bats, scoring three times and driving in a pair of runs.
The Christman brothers (Garrett and Connor) combined for a 3-for-4 day at the plate, driving in three runs, while Dax McLochlin also drove in a run.
With St. Pierre nabbing the win, he only gave up one hit and a walk, while striking out 4 in 3 innings.
4A #8 Noblesville 10, Lafayette Jeff 2 - (Thursday, May 1 at The Dunk)
Bronchos 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 3 0
Millers 0 2 0 5 3 0 X - 10 10 1
Lafayette Jeff wasn't too keen about getting run-ruled in the home ballpark on Tuesday night, so it was assumed that they would be aiming to get at Noblesville right away. That's exactly what happened.
Alex Albrecht got Jeff started with walking on the first five pitches Trevor Salmon threw to him. Albrecht took off for second on Justin Walker's sacrifice bunt for the first out. Alex's brother Austin Albrecht laced an RBI-single to shallow center, scoring the younger brother Alex for a 1-0 Lafayette Jeff lead.
Noblesville got its scoring started in the second. Vinny Essig drilled a one-hop triple to the wall in deep right center to help get the Miller faithful up and out of their seats on a chili night at Dunker Field.
St. Pierre was plunked with a 2-1 pitch from freshman starter Chandler Ferguson for runners at the corners. Salmon singled to drive in Essig to tie things at 1-1. Next up, Connor Christman hit into a fielder's choice to that scored St. Pierre. That would put the Millers up for good and they wouldn't look back.
Over the next three innings, Salmon got himself into a mental groove with catcher Bret Rundle. Just the 3rd through 5th, Trevor struck out 5, walked two and allowed just one hit over that time and two hits overall in his 5 innings.
The Millers were able to tack on more runs in the bottom of the 4th and do it with ease on the frosh Broncho hurler.
McLochlin was hit by a 1-2 pitch. Essig's single moved Dax over to third and he easily scored on St. Pierre's RBI-single to left.
Essig was now at third and St. Pierre at 2nd. Salmon hit into a fielder's choice to load the bags. Connor Christman walked, which let Essig waltz home and it was 4-1.
Bases were still juiced. Opportunity knocked and Bret Rundle answered the call. Rundle smacked a double that hit the bottom of the wall, clearing the bases and the senior catcher ended up at 2nd base with a 3-run double. And just like that, it was 7-1 after four innings.
The Noblesville bats weren't even close to being done for the night. We play until the game is over, bottom line.
Batting around in the 4th, Dax led off the 5th, but unfortunately fanned. Then, Vinny Essig took a 1-0 fastball up and over the left field fence for his 3rd home run of the season and that solo dinger extended the NHS lead to 8-1.
St. Pierre walked and then moved to second on a wild pitch. Connor drove in his third run of the game with a double to center to send St. Pierre home for a 9-1 cushion.
Rundle was back up in the 5th and hungry for more at the plate. Singling to left, Christman scored from second and it was a 10-1 Miller lead.
The Bronchos were able to scrounge up another run in the 6th, but things got a little chippy to start the top of the 6th.
Austin Albrecht was at the plate with a 1-1 count and stepped back out of the batter's box following a called strike. He had a "choice word" for the plate umpire and was immediately ejected. Smith took over to pinch-hit the remainder of the at-bat and walked. Ethan Smith reached on an error by Essig at second.
Two consecutive K's by Miller reliever Cory Conway and we had two quick outs and runners at first and second. Alec Beaver hit an infield single to load the bases, which is something that Miller D hasn't seen recently. Jared Overman walked to drive in Jeff's second run, which would prove to be the final score in this game, Noblesville winning in dominant fashion, 10-2.
Uncharacteristic of hitters 1-4 in the Noblesville lineup, Wilson, McLean, Garrett Christman and McLochlin went just 1-14 with a run score.
The 5 through 9 hitters brought the wood in Game 2 of the series sweep of Lafayette Jeff. That quintet of Essig. St. P, Salmon, Connor Christman and Rundle were together 9-for-12 and accounted for all 10 RBI's, along with 9 of the 10 Miller runs.
It seems like it honestly doesn't matter one bit which players produce and when, it's a matter that they produce and in the end, come out victorious. These are the marks of a great team. They are a selfless bunch of 15-18 year-olds that love playing baseball The Miller Way.
The series sweep over Lafayette Jeff drops the Bronchos to 7-8 (1-7 HCC) and improves Noblesville to 13-4 overall and 7-1 in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference and currently in the driver's seat.
Tonight, the Millers host the Frankfort Hot Dogs. First pitch will be at 7 p.m.
I'd like to thank all of you who click on the link and read the blogs I write. If you like what you're reading and you don't yet follow me on Twitter, feel free to do so where you can find me at @MillerVoiceNDCB.
Thank you again and GO MILLERS!
As the years have gone by, all three schools have become conference rivals of the Millers and it will indeed be odd not having them as opponents in the conference. Some sports will still be able to fit the Bronchos, Mavericks and Raiders into their seasons, but others will be saying goodbye to competitions with these longtime HCC foes.
Noblesville wanted to give the Bronchos a nice parting gift as they leave HCC baseball play. The Millers put together a nice sweep of Lafayette Jeff in pretty convincing fashion on Tuesday and Thursday by a combined 21-3 count.
4A #8 Noblesville 11, Lafayette Jeff 1 (5 inn.) - (Tues. 4/29 at Loeb Stadium, Lafayette)
Millers 5 1 5 0 0 - 11 12 0
Bronchos 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 4 2
The Millers have become "road warriors" as of late and it couldn't come at a better time. Noblesville dropped its first couple of road games at St. Xavier, Kentucky (4-2) and at Fishers (5-1) and since has posted three HCC wins in a row at Brownsburg (3-2), Zionsville (4-3) and Lafayette Jeff (11-1).
The latter was this past Tuesday in Noblesville's last trip to the Bronchos' Loeb Stadium as Lafayette Jeff will be leaving the HCC for the North Central Conference (above).
NHS came out in control from the get-go, putting a five-spot on the board.
Andrew Wilson showed why he's been Justin Keever's leadoff hitter all year long, singling to shortstop Alex Albrecht. Brian McLean doubled on a liner to center, sending Wilson to third. After Garrett Christman lined out to short, Dax McLochlin reached on an error at third, allowing Wilson to score the first run.
Lafayette Jeff only committed two errors, but both happened in the top of the first, and came at third. The second came with Vinny Essig up, scoring McLean and getting Dax to second and then to third on the error itself.
Pitcher Zack St. Pierre singled to right, sending McLochlin home, leading the way for Vinny as he and Dax made it 4-0.
Connor Christman singled to left on an 0-2 pitch to drive in St. Pierre to give Zack a solid 5-0 lead before the Millers even took the field.
St. Pierre made quick work of the Bronchos in the bottom of the first, forcing two groundouts and a strikeout on a dropped third strike.
Wilson and McLean led off the 2nd with back-to-back singles. Wilson was driven home by Garrett Christman's sacrifice fly for a 6-0 Noblesville advantage.
The Miller offense was looking to exhaust the Lafayette Jeff defense and leave Lafayette in less than 7 innings. That plan worked and the Millers poured it on again in the top of the 3rd.
DH Trevor Salmon walked to start the 3rd and Connor Christman hit an infield single, getting Salmon to second and two Millers aboard. Easton Brock singled to short and that loaded the bases full of Millers.
Andrew Wilson soon after doubled to left on a line drive, scoring Salmon and Christman for an 8-0 lead and advancing Brock to third.
McLean singled to score Brock to make it 9-0 and Wilson was now at 3rd with no outs. Garrett Christman drove in his second run of the night (Wilson), when he singled to right on a rope, advancing McLean to second.
McLochlin hit a sacrifice fly to Austin Albrecht in center to get McLean home and Noblesville was making a statement with an 11-0 lead through three innings.
Tyler Gamble came out of the Miller bullpen to pitch 1.1 innings and Lafayette Jeff managed to get three hits off of the senior reliever. The Bronchos also were able to scrap one run home in the 4th, which didn't matter once Noblesville sealed this victory in 5 innings, 11-1.
McLean had a 3-for-4 night at the dish, scoring two runs and driving in another. St. Pierre helped his own cause at the plate, hitting 1-of-3 with a run and two RBI's while also picking up the win on the mound.
Wilson filled up his line in the box score, hitting in all three of his at-bats, scoring three times and driving in a pair of runs.
The Christman brothers (Garrett and Connor) combined for a 3-for-4 day at the plate, driving in three runs, while Dax McLochlin also drove in a run.
With St. Pierre nabbing the win, he only gave up one hit and a walk, while striking out 4 in 3 innings.
4A #8 Noblesville 10, Lafayette Jeff 2 - (Thursday, May 1 at The Dunk)
Bronchos 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 3 0
Millers 0 2 0 5 3 0 X - 10 10 1
Lafayette Jeff wasn't too keen about getting run-ruled in the home ballpark on Tuesday night, so it was assumed that they would be aiming to get at Noblesville right away. That's exactly what happened.
Alex Albrecht got Jeff started with walking on the first five pitches Trevor Salmon threw to him. Albrecht took off for second on Justin Walker's sacrifice bunt for the first out. Alex's brother Austin Albrecht laced an RBI-single to shallow center, scoring the younger brother Alex for a 1-0 Lafayette Jeff lead.
Noblesville got its scoring started in the second. Vinny Essig drilled a one-hop triple to the wall in deep right center to help get the Miller faithful up and out of their seats on a chili night at Dunker Field.
St. Pierre was plunked with a 2-1 pitch from freshman starter Chandler Ferguson for runners at the corners. Salmon singled to drive in Essig to tie things at 1-1. Next up, Connor Christman hit into a fielder's choice to that scored St. Pierre. That would put the Millers up for good and they wouldn't look back.
Over the next three innings, Salmon got himself into a mental groove with catcher Bret Rundle. Just the 3rd through 5th, Trevor struck out 5, walked two and allowed just one hit over that time and two hits overall in his 5 innings.
The Millers were able to tack on more runs in the bottom of the 4th and do it with ease on the frosh Broncho hurler.
McLochlin was hit by a 1-2 pitch. Essig's single moved Dax over to third and he easily scored on St. Pierre's RBI-single to left.
Essig was now at third and St. Pierre at 2nd. Salmon hit into a fielder's choice to load the bags. Connor Christman walked, which let Essig waltz home and it was 4-1.
Bases were still juiced. Opportunity knocked and Bret Rundle answered the call. Rundle smacked a double that hit the bottom of the wall, clearing the bases and the senior catcher ended up at 2nd base with a 3-run double. And just like that, it was 7-1 after four innings.
The Noblesville bats weren't even close to being done for the night. We play until the game is over, bottom line.
Batting around in the 4th, Dax led off the 5th, but unfortunately fanned. Then, Vinny Essig took a 1-0 fastball up and over the left field fence for his 3rd home run of the season and that solo dinger extended the NHS lead to 8-1.
St. Pierre walked and then moved to second on a wild pitch. Connor drove in his third run of the game with a double to center to send St. Pierre home for a 9-1 cushion.
Rundle was back up in the 5th and hungry for more at the plate. Singling to left, Christman scored from second and it was a 10-1 Miller lead.
The Bronchos were able to scrounge up another run in the 6th, but things got a little chippy to start the top of the 6th.
Austin Albrecht was at the plate with a 1-1 count and stepped back out of the batter's box following a called strike. He had a "choice word" for the plate umpire and was immediately ejected. Smith took over to pinch-hit the remainder of the at-bat and walked. Ethan Smith reached on an error by Essig at second.
Two consecutive K's by Miller reliever Cory Conway and we had two quick outs and runners at first and second. Alec Beaver hit an infield single to load the bases, which is something that Miller D hasn't seen recently. Jared Overman walked to drive in Jeff's second run, which would prove to be the final score in this game, Noblesville winning in dominant fashion, 10-2.
Uncharacteristic of hitters 1-4 in the Noblesville lineup, Wilson, McLean, Garrett Christman and McLochlin went just 1-14 with a run score.
The 5 through 9 hitters brought the wood in Game 2 of the series sweep of Lafayette Jeff. That quintet of Essig. St. P, Salmon, Connor Christman and Rundle were together 9-for-12 and accounted for all 10 RBI's, along with 9 of the 10 Miller runs.
It seems like it honestly doesn't matter one bit which players produce and when, it's a matter that they produce and in the end, come out victorious. These are the marks of a great team. They are a selfless bunch of 15-18 year-olds that love playing baseball The Miller Way.
The series sweep over Lafayette Jeff drops the Bronchos to 7-8 (1-7 HCC) and improves Noblesville to 13-4 overall and 7-1 in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference and currently in the driver's seat.
Tonight, the Millers host the Frankfort Hot Dogs. First pitch will be at 7 p.m.
I'd like to thank all of you who click on the link and read the blogs I write. If you like what you're reading and you don't yet follow me on Twitter, feel free to do so where you can find me at @MillerVoiceNDCB.
Thank you again and GO MILLERS!
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