Millers, Hounds drop tough battles with northern teams

The REPORTER

The Carmel Softball Invitational began on Friday, despite rainy weather and wet fields at Cherry Tree Softball Complex.

The rain and field conditions prompted changes to the schedule, but the Greyhounds and Noblesville were able to get their first games in. Carmel fought until the end against Class 4A No. 1 Lake Central, which won 18-6 in five innings.

Another ranked team, 4A No. 5 Penn, handed the 4A No. 10 Millers their first loss of the season. Noblesville made a comeback in the seventh inning before the Kingsmen escaped with a 7-6 victory.

The ‘Hounds scored the first run of their game when Jayden Kleiner sent a home run into center field in the first inning. But the Indians blasted through the second inning, putting up 14 runs. Lake Central added another run in the third inning for a 15-1 lead.

Carmel kept battling, getting five runs in the third inning. Kleiner got home on a wild pitch, Megan Pike singled in Mia Fleming, Avery Klein scored when Keira Libel drew a bases-loaded walk and Winni Owens sent Ellie Goddard and Pike home with a right field double.

The ‘Hounds are 3-10 and play Avon at 2 p.m. today.

Millers almost come back

The Kingsmen led Noblesville 2-0 after four innings, but the Millers tied the game in the top of the fifth inning, when Reese Newsom cracked a right field triple to score Nevaeh Nash and Brookelyn Grayson.

Penn scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 7-2 lead. Noblesville rallied in the top of the seventh: Nash led off by reaching on an error, then scored when Delaney Rundle singled into center field. Newsom stepped up again with a two-run double to bring in Grayson (who drew a walk) and Rundle.

Haley Schatko hit a double to score Newsom and get the Millers within 7-6. Noblesville had runners on third base two different times, but the Kingsmen made plays at home plate to get two outs, then a strikeout ended the game.

Schatko finished with two doubles while Newsom totaled four RBIs. Addison Retzinger pitched 5.1 innings, striking out six and allowing two hits.

The Millers are 8-1 and take on Lake Central at 11:30 a.m. today.