Millers hold off Tigers in first game of series

By CRAIG ADKINS

For The Reporter

NOBLESVILLE – As two of the biggest rivals in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference, Noblesville and Fishers always play in an intense environment, no matter whose home field.

Thursday’s first game of the HCC series was no different. The atmosphere at Dunker Field was heightened, as per usual. Different moments gave momentum to each team. But, it would be the host Millers keeping the upper hand to hold on for a 5-3 league win.

The Tigers got to southpaw Beckett Doane right away in the first. Doane gave up a leadoff walk to Vincent Pecoraro and then a double to Ethan Buelt. Carter Strole bounced into a fielder’s choice, which allowed Pecoraro to score for the early 1-0 lead.

Noblesville bounced back with three in the second. Garrett Dixon reached on an error. Blake Riggs came in to courtesy run for Dixon and scored when Ethan Clark reached on an error and it was tied 1-1.

Next, with a 2-1 count, Aiden Reynolds hit his second home run of the season. This time it was opposite field to right, driving in Clark, giving the Millers a 3-1 advantage.

Chris Martz drove in the fourth Miller run on a single to left that sent Jalen Stidham home for 4-1 in the third.

The Millers tacked on another in the fourth. Clark and Zac Glander walked for two on. Brooks Riggs lined a hit to left to score Clark for a 5-1 lead.

Buelt walked and moved to second on a Strole base hit for two on. Catcher David Pina reached on an error by Reynolds at short. That run by Buelt made it 5-2.

Reliever Griffin Snider started off well in the fifth, but Fishers got him rattled a little bit in the top of the seventh.

Pina reached on a third error by Reynolds and moved to second on a fielder’s choice by DH Justin Brown. Connor Hackworth was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one down. Two batters later with two down, Snider plunked pinch hitter Parker Congdon to plate Pina to make it 5-3.

After a conference at the mound, Snider struck out Andrew Baldini for the final out, giving Noblesville the win by two runs.

Fishers (4-6, 1-2 HCC) was held to three hits by Doane and Snider. Owen Lukac, Jerry Jarramillo and Grant Wold combined to strike out eight Millers.

Noblesville (6-4, 3-0 HCC) managed four hits themselves, by four different hitters. Reynolds’ home run was his second on the season.

Doane (2-0) whiffed five Tigers and walked four in 4.1 innings to pick up the win. Snider was clutch in his 2.2 frames out of the bullpen. The junior flamethrower topped out his fastball at 93 mph. And struck out four while not giving up a walk in earning the save (2).

Game two of the HCC series is tonight at Fishers with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.