By RICHARD TORRES
For The Reporter
FISHERS – Before the first pitch on Thursday night at Fishers High School, the Noblesville seniors gathered with a blue Sharpie in hand and spelled out their pregame inspiration on the underside of their right forearms.
Written in bold capital letters, the name “LUTZ” served as a reminder for the seniors, and every Miller underclassman followed their lead in unity.
Noblesville played its season in memory of assistant coach Craig Lutz, with the Millers players writing his name on their arms. Pictured is Nevaeh Nash. (Julie Brown)
The Class 4A tenth-ranked Millers’ Sectional 8 championship matchup against third-ranked Zionsville wasn’t just a game or a chance at a ninth title in program history.
The Millers were playing for Craig Lutz, 53, their former assistant softball coach and friend, who passed away due to a sudden medical emergency on Jan. 8 in Indianapolis.
“Every time there’s two balls, two strikes and two outs, you’ll hear the girls say, ‘In Two.’ On the back of their helmets, it says, ‘Deuces, get’em hot,’ because that’s what he would always say,” Noblesville coach Deke Bullard said. “They had ‘Lutz’ on their forearms tonight. They decided to do that.”
A 1990 Noblesville graduate, Lutz helped coach baseball for nine years at the school and was starting his 11th season with the softball program before his tragic passing from an aortic dissection.
This season, the Millers wore warmup shirts in Lutz’s honor with the mantra “Do It For Lutz” printed on the front and “More Than Just a Game” on the back along with the school’s “N” logo positioned inside a golden softball.
On Tuesday, Lutz was undoubtedly present with his beloved Millers, as they upset the Eagles, 9-4, for the team’s first sectional title since 2022.
“I coached with him for 10 years. I knew him for 20. He was a friend, so it’s hard. It’s hard on the girls, and we miss a lot of the silly things he says. We have a little extra incentive, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Bullard said.
“I felt like he’s been here a few times this year. A couple times things would happen, and you just go, ‘Alright, he liked that.’ So yeah, I felt like we had a little extra help tonight. It certainly makes it more meaningful.”
The Millers’ road toward a seventh 4A sectional crown all-time required fortitude.
Noblesville began their postseason journey by besting junior ace Grace Swedarsky, a Virginia Tech commit, and defending state champion No. 9 Hamilton Southeastern, 9-4, on Memorial Day.
Brookelyn Grayson was 3-for-5 at the plate. (Julie Brown)
On Tuesday, the Millers pushed past No. 13 Fishers, 4-0, and senior ace Kate Murray, a Butler recruit.
Against Zionsville (21-5), their third straight Hoosier Crossroads Conference foe, the Millers (19-7) faced Indiana University commit Leah Helton, and the same result unfolded.
Noblesville plated four runs in the top of the first, two in the second and three more in the fifth with 13 hits overall and three walks.
“I know people say they have tough sectionals, but we have absolutely the toughest sectional. We had to face three Division-I pitchers, who are all legit in every which way, and you have to have some luck. You have to have some good timing on things, and our bats came alive,” Bullard said. “They came alive Monday, continued on Tuesday and continued tonight.”
Western Michigan recruit Haley Schatko (2-for-3), a junior, kick-started the Millers’ offense with a first-pitch, two-run double in the first and upped the lead 6-1 in the second with a two-run home run.
In the sectional tournament, Schatko went 4-for-9 with six RBI, two home runs and two doubles.
Senior Brookelyn Grayson was 3-for-5 in the title game, lacing her fifth double in the sectional during Noblesville’s nine at-bat top of the first and finished the week 9-for-11 with three RBI.
“Today before the game when we were writing on our arms, we knew there was going to be a bunch of pressure, but we knew he was with us. We just wanted to do it all for him today,” Grayson said. “When there are two balls, two strikes and two outs, we all do his little (hand gesture). We’re just always thinking about him, and he’s helping us get through this.”
Noblesville pitcher Addison Retzinger threw 11 strikeouts. (Julie Brown)
Senior Delaney Rundle, a Marian commit, went 2-for-5 and reached base with a single to lead off the championship. The Millers’ lineup drove in eight runs with eight different batters recording at least one hit.
“Last year was obviously a disappointment losing to HSE in the sectional championship. We really worked hard in the offseason, and I’m so proud of my girls for coming back,” Rundle said. “Our plan was to attack and get on her early. Obviously, she’s a great pitcher, but we just had to stick to what we know.”
They stayed unified in their purpose, and despite falling short of an HCC title by one game to Zionsville (6-1 HCC) this year, the Millers (5-2 HCC) achieved their larger goal.
“Do it for Lutz. That’s what all this is for. It’s for a bigger cause. It’s for a family that deserves so much. We obviously miss him so much. It’s all for him,” Rundle shared as tears filled her eyes.
“That’s all we’ve been thinking about all season. He was one of my best friends on the coaching staff. He really did everything for us, and I really miss him, but I know he’s watching down on us and being so proud of us right now. We’re going to continue to play for him.”
I am Craig’s wife and I am so incredibly proud of these girls! I know he is shining down on them! I need to clarify, though, he did not die of a heart attack. Craig had an aortic dissection.
Hi Amy. Thanks for letting us know. We fixed it on the website and also in our email edition.