A sixth-inning comeback secured a Hoosier Crossroads Conference sweep for Noblesville.
The Millers trailed 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, but scored three runs in the sixth to beat Avon 4-3 Thursday at Don Dunker Field. Couple that with Noblesville’s win over the Orioles on Wednesday, and the Millers have an early 2-0 lead in HCC play.
“After our disappointing trip in Tennessee, we had two really good days of practice, Monday and Tuesday,” said Noblesville coach Justin Keever. “Had a really good effort last night, and then to find a way to get a win tonight is encouraging, the way the guys are starting to come together.”
The Millers got on the board in the fifth inning, when DJ Owens hit a sacrifice fly to scored Zach Gruver. That brought Noblesville within 3-1.
After a three-up, three-down top of the sixth, the Millers made their move. Cade Nelis drew a walk, then Ethan Imel hit a double to move Nelis to third. Noblesville brought in Camden Nagel to run for Imel and Jackson Hancock to run for Nelis. Gruver then drew a walk to load the bases.
Cole Barnes stepped up minutes later and hit a single perfectly up center field, sending Hancock and Nagel home to tie the game. Gruver ran to third and scored on the next at-bat, in which Cooper Miles reached on an error.
“We left a lot of runners on early,” said Noblesville coach Justin Keever. “Their guy was throwing a good ball game. The wind’s kind of howling in, too.” Nevertheless, the Millers found a way to win.
Clay Holzworth pitched a complete game, and finished strong. Holzworth struck out the first two batters, and induced a groundout for the third out. Holzworth totaled eight strikeouts and issued no walks. Noblesville also turned a double play in the first inning.
The Millers are 3-4 overall and will go back on the road Saturday to Louisville. Noblesville will play at St. Xavier, taking on Campbell County at 1 p.m. and St. Xavier at 3:30 p.m.
Noblesville 4, Avon 3
Noblesville AB R H RBI
Cole Barnes 4 0 1 2
Cooper Miles 4 0 1 0
DJ Owens 2 0 0 1
Matt Peek 2 0 0 0
Jacob Weiler 3 0 0 0
Cade Nelis 2 0 0 0
Jackson Hancock 0 1 0 0
Ethan Imel 2 0 1 0
Zach Gruver 1 2 0 0
Brady Walden 1 0 0 0
Camden Nagel 0 1 0 0
Totals 21 4 3 3
Score by innings
Avon 000 030 0 – 3 6 1
Noblesville 000 013 x – 4 3 0
2B: Imel. SAC: Owens. HBP: Imel, Walden.
Noblesville pitching IP R ER H
Clay Holzworth 7 3 3 6
Strikeouts: Holzworth 8. Walks: none.
Clay Holzworth pitched a complete game for Noblesville on Thursday. Holzworth had eight strikeouts in the Millers’ 4-3 Hoosier Crossroads Conference win over Avon at Don Dunker Field. (Kent Graham)