By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
NOBLESVILLE – The stakes were high heading into Wednesday night’s first game of the Hoosier Crossroads Conference series between Zionsville and Noblesville. The Millers had to simply win and they would clinch at least a share of the HCC baseball championship.
It was quite the pitcher’s duel between a pair of juniors in Zionsville’s Simon Wilkinson and Noblesville’s Nolan Decker. Late in the tight league matchup, Decker got to the Eagles, both with his arm and bat in helping the Millers to a 2-0 win.
“It’s no different than any other game. That’s what I want to do every game, obviously. Coach giving me the ball gives me all the confidence in the world,” said Noblesville junior pitcher Nolan Decker.
Zionsville was looking to play the spoiler role, but Noblesville had its eyes on the prize. The Millers have now clinched at least a share of the conference title, something they haven’t done since 2016. That season they shared the HCC crown with the Eagles, both having 15-3 marks that year.
“It’s a privilege to win this sucker. We’ve done it four times and it’s really, really hard. You’ve got really, really good teams and we’re just thankful. I don’t really care how long it’s been,” said Noblesville head coach Justin Keever.
“This is the year that matters right now. We look at this ballgame tonight and we’re celebrating a conference championship,” continued an excited Keever.
Keever’s reaction is just the tone that he and his team have to take in order to keep this momentum going in an effort to win the second game of the series for an outright HCC championship.
The Hoosier Crossroads Conference is deemed as the toughest baseball conference in the state and that continues to hold up that standard every year.
Decker gave up three singles in different innings and only two others would reach base by a fielder’s choice and an error on the infield.
“Deck was awesome tonight. I thought we played really good defense,” stated Keever.
Wilkinson struck out five through five before his exit brought in Jackson Gilley in relief in the sixth inning.
Trevor Corbett led off the home half of the sixth with a single over Josh Girvan’s head at short. Bryce Riggs walked with one out for two aboard. Decker then grounded past Girvan into left, scoring Corbett for a 1-0 edge.
“Right after that hit, the dugout just exploded. That was incredible and one of the greatest feelings you could ever have. It’s a family. This is what we’ve wanted and being able to do that for my team is incredible,” stated Decker.
Two batters later with two outs, Aiden Ramsey lined a single to left, plating Riggs for an insurance run for the final score of 2-0.
Decker came out to finish it off in the top of the seventh. Girvan reached on an error by Riggs, but would be stranded to end the game. The junior southpaw shut the door on the Eagles, sending the final two hitters down on strikes, including Lincoln Belser looking, sealing the win.
Decker threw a complete game gem, striking out eight in his seven frames. He improved his pitching record to 6-3 while allowing just three hits without giving up a walk.
Trevor Corbett led the Millers with two hits, while Decker and Ramsey each added RBI singles. Hunter Corbett accounted for the fifth Miller hit.
Zionsville drops to 18-9 overall and 6-7 in HCC play.
Noblesville moves to 19-6 and holds a 10-3 HCC record. If the Millers win tonight at Zionsville in the second game of the series, that would give Noblesville an outright HCC title.