By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – The Noblesville softball team opened its season with a dominating win over Western Boone on Tuesday.
The Millers beat the Stars 12-0, ending the game after six innings on the 10-run rule. Noblesville scored five runs in the sixth inning to finish the contest: Alyssa Solomon scored on an error, then Myah Stuckey got home on a passed ball. Julia Furiak then stepped up and hit a three-run home run, also scoring Abby Brown and Chloe Tragesser, both of whom drew walks.
All in all, it was a nice way to start the season for the Millers, who were ranked No. 5 in the Class 4A post-season poll and are returning several players from a team that made the semi-state championship game last year.
“For being our first game out, I thought we played well,” said Noblesville coach Deke Bullard. “I thought we made some mistakes, which we anticipated. I thought we ran the bases well. Overall for our first game out, being cooler weather and chilly, we’re pleased with how we performed.”
The Millers began the game the way they ended it, with a home run. Ella White blasted a two-run homer into center field to get Noblesville on the board. The Millers added four more runs in the second: Emily Minett doubled, then scored on a wild pitch. Later, Tragesser hit her own double with the bases loaded, getting three more runs. Brown, Shea Sterrett and Kyleigh Lowry all got home.
After a scoreless third inning, Noblesville got a run in the fourth after Rylie Moore scored on a wild pitch. In the fifth inning, Furiak’s singled sent White home.
Bullard was also pleased with his team’s base running, as the Millers had eight stolen bases. Solomon made two steals.
Maddie Taylor got the pitching win, striking out 10 in five innings of work. Baily Ryan relieved her in the sixth inning and went three-up, three-down.
Noblesville is off for Spring Break, and will return to action Monday, April 8 by hosting Greenfield-Central.
Noblesville 12, Western Boone 0
(6 innings)
Noblesville AB R H RBI
Abby Brown 2 2 0 0
Chloe Tragesser 3 1 1 3
Ella White 3 2 1 1
Julia Furiak 4 1 2 4
Emily Minett 2 1 1 0
Rylie Newcomer 1 0 0 0
Maddie Taylor 3 0 0 0
Rylie Moore 2 1 2 0
Alyssa Solomon 1 1 1 0
Kyleigh Lowry 2 1 0 0
Shea Sterrett 1 1 1 0
Myah Stuckey 1 1 0 0
Abigail Harvey 1 0 1 0
Totals 26 12 10 8
Score by innings
WeBo 000 000 – 0 4 2
Noblesville 140 115 – 12 10 0
HR: Furiak, White. 2B: Tragesser, Minett. SB: Solomon 2, Stuckey, White, Lowry, Newcomer, Moore, Brown. HBP: Lowry.
Noblesville pitching IP R ER H
Taylor (W) 5 0 0 4
Baily Ryan 1 0 0 0
Strikeouts: Taylor 10. Walks: none.
Noblesville’s Abby Brown scored two runs for the Millers in their season-opening win over Western Boone on Tuesday. Brown is pictured with Noblesville head coach Deke Bullard. (Kent Graham)
Noblesville’s Maddie Taylor pitched six innings for the Millers on Tuesday, striking out 10 and allowing just four hits. (Kent Graham)