Noblesville scored early and very, very often in its Hoosier Crossroads Conference win at Brownsburg on Friday.
The Millers poured in 16 – yes, SIXTEEN – runs in the first inning of the game. Noblesville eventually won 21-8, giving it the first two games and thus clinching the HCC series.
The Millers hit two home runs in the first inning, and that was after they were already leading 10-0. Reese Sharp homered into left field, also sending DJ Owens and Jacob Thieman home.
A couple at-bats later, Jackson Ramey connected on a fly ball, sending it over the center field fence. Cade Nelis and Zac Tuinei also both scored. Earlier in the inning, Thieman batted in three runs, while both Mark Goudy and Bryce Randolph each had two-RBI hits.
Goudy opened the second inning with a solo home run to center field. DJ Owens scored on a wild pitch. In the third inning, Thieman hit a sacrifice fly to score Randolph, resulting in his fourth RBI of the game. Noblesville then drew two bases-loaded walks to score twice in the fourth inning.
Ramey totaled five RBIs for the day. Goudy was 4-for-4 at the plate, with four total RBIs and three runs scored. Randolph, DJ Owens and Nelis all scored three times.
Tyler Owens pitched all five innings for the win.
The Millers host Brownsburg at noon today to finish the series.
HSE wins at Bloomington South
Hamilton Southeastern picked up a 5-3 win at Bloomington South on Friday.
The Royals got on the board in the fourth inning when Greyson Droste hit a two-run home run. Anthony Eggers also scored. Jacob Daftari doubled in the next at-bat, and he was immediately sent home on a single from Cole DeWael.
Southeastern added two more runs in the seventh inning. Matt Buckingham hit a double into right field to score DeWael and Jake Huston. DeWael and Buckingham both had two hits for the game.
Carter Lohman dominated on the mound, with 14 strikeouts against three hits and one walk in a complete-game effort.
The Royals are 9-14 and travel to Guerin Catholic today for a noon game.
Huskies power past West Lafayette
Hamilton Heights overcame a shaky start to power past West Lafayette 9-2 Friday in the Hoosier Conference crossover game at the Huskies’ field.
The Red Devils scored their runs in the top of the first inning, but Heights immediately came back by scoring three in the bottom of the inning with three straight singles. Sam Fulton batted in the first run, scoring Michael Cross. Sam Rupe sent Alex Roth home to tie the game, and Sam Wahl’s center field hit got Brody Piel home.
The Huskies added three runs in the third inning. Rupe’s double scored Roth and Piel; both got their second runs of the game. Rupe was sent home on the next at-bat, an RBI groundout from Wahl.
Heights wrapped up its scoring in the sixth inning with three more runs. Luke Thesier opened the inning with a triple, then Cole Meyer doubled him home. Meyer scored on Gabe Reel’s sacrifice fly, then Cross got home on a passed ball.
Fulton finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate, while Rupe totaled three RBIs. Meyer, Rupe, Wahl and Thesier all had two hits. Fulton pitched a complete game, striking out five and allowing only three hits.
“Finally, finally,” said Heights coach JR Moffatt. “I’m so happy for our guys. This is the team we’ve been waiting for since late March. You fight through the rain and snow and wonder if we will ever really get it going.
“Right now our mojo is really good. They are having a lot of fun and playing really well. What a great time to start putting it all together. There are still several areas that we can improve and that is a good thing. Just because we are playing much better doesn’t at all mean that we have peaked. I still think our upside is a lot higher. But wow, it’s nice to play some really good solid baseball. It’s fun to see them smile and enjoy each other too. That what high school athletics should be about.”
Heights is 11-8 and will play at Guerin Catholic on Monday.
Hamilton Heights’ Sam Fulton makes a pop-up catch during the Huskies’ win over West Lafayette on Friday. (Richie Hall)
Sheridan falls to Lapel
Sheridan lost a 7-2 game at Lapel on Friday.
The Blackhawks scored both of their runs in the fifth inning. Steve Smith got home on a passed ball, while Lane Leonard singled in Reece Fisher. Cameron Hovey hit a double in the first inning.
Leonard pitched four innings, striking out five.
Sheridan is 7-7 and hosts Tri-West on Wednesday.