THE REPORTER
The Noblesville Millers and Westfield Shamrocks had no idea what kind of softball game they would be in for on Tuesday night in Westfield.
The two HCC rivals would wind up playing 14 innings before the Millers came away with the road victory, 5-4.
Westfield scored first in the bottom of the first when Samantha Breaux drove in Maggie Roh on a hard-hit grounder for 1-0.
Noblesville struck back in the top of the fourth on a three-run home run from Addi Emmerson, putting the Millers in front 3-1.
Ava Kainrath belted a solo shot in the last of the fourth to cut it to 3-2. Chloe Tanner would give Westfield a 4-3 lead on a triple to center to score both Avery Banas and Grace Fanelli.
Hailey Schatko laid down a bunt single, allowing Tatum Ball to score, tying it 4-4.
After being tied 4-4 through five, it became a chess match by the pitchers.
Nine straight innings of back-and-forth resulting in no scoring, something had to give eventually and it finally did for the Millers.
Reis Sjoholm bunted a single to third to score Tatum Ball for what became the winning run for a 5-4 score.
Cullen made quick work of Westfield’s last ditch effort in the bottom of the 14th, sealing the road win.
Lulu Van Beek started for the Millers, but only threw four innings, giving up seven hits and all four ‘Rocks runs, while fanning four.
Chloe Tanner would throw all 14 innings for Westfield. She allowed 12 hits and struck out 12 with four walks. The most impressive feat for Tanner was that she threw 202 pitches, taking a tough loss.
Claire Cullen relieved Van Beek in the fifth and didn’t seem to be fazed much. She threw 10 innings, scattering just four hits, walking four, while striking out 14. Throwing 138 pitches in relief, Cullen also kept Westfield scoreless in those 10 innings.
Westfield (7-7, 2-2 HCC) takes a trip to Yorktown (8-3) on Thursday and hosts Tri-West (11-3) on Friday to end its week.
Noblesville (6-6, 3-1 HCC) ended their two-game skid and will host Cathedral (7-5) today, Pendleton Heights (12-3) on Thursday and Lawrence Central (2-7) Saturday morning.