Millers 1 0 1 1 3 0 2 2 - 10 14 4
Rams 1 0 2 0 0 3 2 0 - 8 9 0
Austin Shirley was bound and determined to start things off on the right foot at the plate against Grace Christian Academy on the Rams' home turf. It literally is a full turf infield, even where there's usually dirt. The outfield is bermuda grass.
The junior CF led off the game with a single and it was kind of like he got a monkey off of his back. In the first two games of the season against New Castle and at Farragut on Thursday, Austin struckout and it more than likely affected his approach.
Michael Carmosino was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Shirley stole third for runners at the corners and a good outlook for the Millers, that was, until Carmo tried making his way to second. He got caught in a short-lived rundown going 2-3-6, scoring Shirley for a 1-0 early edge. Bryce Masterson flied out to left and Dax McLochlin struck out looking to end the first abruptly and put a stop to what could have been an even more productive start.
GCA was playing their 17the game of the year, just as Farragut was on Thursday night against Noblesville. The Rams made a little noise of their own in the home half of the 1st. Tanner Fee got on with a one-out walk. Chandler Adkins sailed a double to the centerfield wall, sending Fee home for a 1-1 tie. Pitcher Luke Shepherd walked, but was stranded to end the inning with Miller starter Harris Camp forced a pop out and struck out the catcher Hayden Coffman.
Noblesville loaded the bases from a couple singles and a walk in the top of the second, but weren't able to get those baserunners home.They had another chance in the visitors half of the third and took advantage of it. Carmo and Masterson both grounded out to the first baseman Ross Ledford for a pair of quick outs. Dax came up next and it was obvious that the senior didn't feel the pressure. McLochlin blasted a solo home run over the 15-foot center field wall to give the Millers a 2-1 lead. Christman and Gilliam singled right after Dax, but got stranded when Alec Parker went down swinging to end the inning.
Grace Christian took advantage of sophomore hurler Harris Camp in the bottom of the third. After striking out leadoff hitter Justin Shaw for the second time in a row, Fee reached again, this time via a throwing error on Camp, allowing Fee to second with the throw leaving the field of play. Adkins grounded out to Parker at first, moving Fee over to third and into scoring position. Shepherd walked, then he and Fee were driven home on a two-run double down the right field line by new pitcher Ryan Medders and the Rams had regained the lead 3-2.
A couple quick outs in the top of the 4th from a fly out to right by L.J. Tilley and Alex Cleverly striking out had the Millers on their heels, but not for long. Back to the top of the order, Shirley walked on four Medders pitches and was sent home from first on a double that hit the right field chalk line and that tied the score 3-3.
McLochlin led the 5th off by walking. Connor Christman singled to right center to get Dax over to third and there were runners at the corners. Travis Gillian drove the first pitch of his at-bat on one hop to the wall in center for a two-run triple, scoring both Dax and Conner for a 5-3 lead for the Millers. With no outs, Alec Parker grounded out to short, which was enough for Gillian to score and after 4 1/2, Noblesville was up on GCA, 6-3.
Clayton Marowski came in during the 3rd inning from the bullpen and pitched Camp out of the slight mess he'd gotten himself into. Marowski worked a total of 3 innings, but was pulled for Connor Adams just after Clayton allowed two runs to come in to cut the NHS lead to 6-5. Adkins singled to left to plate Justin Shaw, tying the game for the 3rd time, 6-6 through six.
The Millers entered the top of the 7th looking like they had a sense of urgency to make a change to the score out on the scoreboard in left field. Christman started off with a walk just before GCA changed pitchers and Justin Shaw jogged in from center to take the ball on the mound.
On the third pitch Shaw threw, Gillian grounded to short where Connor was forced out at second and Travis was safe at first on the throw for a fielder's choice. Parker walked and they both were driven in by Jackson Thurman's pinch-hit two-run double to left and the Millers took an 8-6 score into the bottom of the 7th.
Looking ready for the challenge, Connor Adams gave up a 1-1 single up the middle to Hayden Coffman. The next pitch was crushed over the center field wall by Micah Wheeler for a two-run home run, tying the see-saw affair at 8-8. Adams was able to retire three of the next four that stepped in the box to end the inning.
After Shirley grounded out, Carmosino doubled again for the second time in the game. Two batters later, McLochlin stoked an RBI-single to left to make it 9-8. Two more singles by Christman and Gillian loaded the bases with two down. Alec Parker worked the count and really didn't feel the pressure as he walked to bring home another run for the final count of 10-8 in 8 innings.
Noblesville's starting pitcher, Harris Camp, re-entered the game. It's not often that it happens, but in high school baseball, and softball for that matter, the if the starting pitcher leaves the game, they can re-enter. Camp came back in the game and pitched with a purpose, allowing just one hit and a fielder's choice during the final out of the game to seal the deal for the Millers' second win of the day.
Connor Adams earned the win in the decision and Harris Camp notched the save. Travis Gillian earned his way to Player of the Game honors from Hamilton County TV.
The win improved Noblesville to 3-1 before they finish up their play in the DeMarini/Diamond Invitational on Saturday against Brentwood High School at 10 a.m.
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