4A Sectional 9 at Zionsville: Fishers 3, Noblesville 2
We got one last glimpse of the Ryan Byrne that we've all known for the past 4 seasons. He threw a total of 80 pitches, 61 for strikes. His fastball was pin-point on the mark. His off-speed pitches were throwing the Fishers hitters off a little from time to time.
It wasn't until the bottom of the 4th that the Tigers got a rhythm going at the plate. Drew Clark led off with a single to center. Matt Woolwine climbed aboard with an infield single. It didn't seem like JP Pena's at-bat would ever end. Pena had an saw 11 pitches, finally ending his at-bat with a two-run single to left. That hit drove home Clark and Woolwine for a 2-0 Fishers lead. Pena tried stretching it to a double, which was a horrible idea. You should never test the arm of Derek Asuras, no matter which outfield spot he's playing in. Asuras gunned down Pena at second base from left with a throw to shortstop Tanner Watson, who put the tag on Pena. That throw out at second ignited the Miller defense. The Fishers battery of Chris Patrick and Ant Roach were consecutively the final outs of the inning.
Seth Rayle started the top of the 5th off for Noblesville with a hit to Pena at short that resulted in an error on Pena, because he threw the ball in the dirt to Clark at first. Rayle stole 2nd with Hammond up. Hammond drove Rayle in with a stroke down the third baseline to being the score to 2-1, Fishers.
With two quick outs, it looked like the Millers would be back to bat sooner than Fishers could blink. It was short-lived, but Fishers made good use of their 5th inning. Connor McCalley belted a triple to deep center field over the head of Caleb Shore. Koby Orris hit a groundball to the hole at short and made it difficult to Tanner Watson to make the throw in time, giving Orris an infield single and an RBI, scoring McCalley from third. Fishers was now up 3-1 and Nobleville's back was to the wall, with no room for flaws from there on.
Watson wasn't happy with his play in the field during he previous half inning, so he made up for it when he led off the top of the 6th inning. Tanner smoked a double to the wall in left, getting the Miller bench and faithful in the stands to their feet. Jamerson Brock then smacked his own double to left, scoring Watson from second to close the Fishers lead to 3-2.
It only took Byrne 6 pitches in the sixth to end the inning. Woolwine flied out to right. Pena struckout looking. And Chris Patrick grounded out to Watson at short.
JP Pena came on in the top of the 7th in relief of Ant Roach, who held Noblesville in check for the most part. The Millers went quickly and unfortunately quietly in their final chance during the top of the seventh. Brock Hammond flied out to left. Patrick Rader pinch-hit and struck out. Derek Asuras hit a grounder just to the first base side of the mound. Pena picked the ball up and tossed it to Drew Clark at first to end the game and Noblesville's season.
Fishers (19-12) advances to the semifinals to face the host and 4A #8 Zionsville (22-5) in the first game on Monday at 11am. Zionsville advanced with a victory in Friday night's continued game from Wednesday night's rainout. They defeated Carmel 6-0 in that continuation game. Carmel finished with a 9-20 record, while Noblesville wound up with a 14-17 record. The second semifinal game will feature Hamilton Southeastern (14-15) against Westfield (10-16). The 4A Sectional 9 championship game will be at 7:30 Monday night.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Millers get big road victory, then lose heartbreaker on Senior Night
Noblesville 6, Harrison (West Lafayette) 4
After Derek Asuras threw his Tuesday night no-hitter at home against Westfield, the Millers had one more road test lest in the HCC season. They got a big road victory, 6-4 over Harrison (West Lafayette). Some might think that beating Harrison isn't that big of a deal, but this season for Noblesville, we take wins when we can get them.
Noblesville socked the host Raiders for 9 hits, including doubles by Caleb Shore and Sam Wides and a two-run home run by Austin Ramey.
Brock Hammond started and Ben Yoder finished the game, combining on for eight hits. Yoder secured the win in the bottom of the7th for the Millers.
Senior Night: Harrison (West Lafayette) 2, Noblesville 1 (8 innings)
Things started out somewhat shaky in the top of the first inning. With one out, there was a little controversy at home plate. Nick Leuck was up to bat for the Raiders and our plate umpire was already having trouble keeping track of the count. In a nutshell, Leuck was technically given an extra pitch in the at-bat. He was walked on 7 (technically 8 pitches). The plate umpire's mishap turned out to slap Leuck right in the face. On the first pitch of DH David Carnahan's at-bat, Leuck tried to steal second base, but Noblesville catcher Sam Wides had other ideas in mind. He threw a rocket to second base and Seth Rayle tagged Leuck out, fueling the home crowd at Dunker Field.
The Miller half of the first started out eventful, fueled by that previous momentum. Derek Asuras led things off with a walk. He advanced to 2nd on a fielder's choice at-bat by Dewey Rodgers. Asuras advanced to 3rd on an error by Harrison 2B Payton Smith. Rodgers sole second on the very next pitch. Jameson Brock then hit a sky-high fly ball to left field. It was high and far enough to allow Asuras to score from third for a Brock sacrifice fly and a 1-0 Noblesville lead.
The second through seventh innings were nothing short of a chess match. Noblesville senior Ryan Byrne struckout nine for the game and they all came within those six innings.
The Millers' bats weren't quiet by any means during that span of baseball. They had five base hits, nine fly ball outs and five groundouts. Talk about opportunities that they weren't able to take advantage of to score some runs.
Harrison found a way to tie the score up at 1-1 in the top of the 6th inning, however. Joe Dinkel had a one out 2B to get things going for the Raiders. He then scored on David Carnahan's hit in the infield that was ruled an error on Miller shortstop Tanner Watson.
Derek Asuras had a two-out single, followed by a steal of second base, but it wasn't enough for Noblesville in the bottom of the 7th inning. We're playing extra baseball on Senior Night at The Dunk!
Normally a starter, junior Kent Williams was sent in by Coach Keever in a relief role to lend a helping hand to senior starter Ryan Byrne. Williams seemed out of sync, walking the Raider #9 hitter Evan Tislow on five pitches. Dinkel laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Tislow to second. Leuck walked for runners at first and second. Tislow moved to third easily. He scored on a groundball that was an opportunity for a double play to end the Raider 8th. Rayle's toss to Watson was good to second base, but Watson's throw to first sailed over Austin Ramey's head, which allowed Tislow home from third. Tislow's run gave Harrison a 2-1 lead.
Brock roped a one out single to center, then stole second. JB advanced to third on an infield single from Caleb Shore. C-Shore and Jameson Brock were stranded at second and third bases, respectively, as Seth Rayle struckout with a full count to end the ballgame and the threat of Noblesville winning on Senior Night. Harrison 2, Noblesville 1 in 8 innings.
I've been exactly where these 6 seniors are at following a loss on senior night. I'll never forget every moment of senior night. Those moments stick with you and overshadow all other moments, but only for the time being. They'll never forget how they won the 2010 Class 4A Sectional 9 Championship at home, under the lights at Dunker Field.
The Millers will continue their quest to right the ship and bring home the 2011 4A Sectional 9 title, but this time they're playing at Zionsville's new stadium. On the first day of play, Carmel takes on host Zionsville, followed by Noblesville and Fishers. The winners of those two games will face off on Monday, Memorial Day, at 11am. Hamilton Southeastern and Westfield will play in the bye game of the bracket, just after the matchup between the winners of the first two games. The championship game will be played at 7:30 Monday evening.
After Derek Asuras threw his Tuesday night no-hitter at home against Westfield, the Millers had one more road test lest in the HCC season. They got a big road victory, 6-4 over Harrison (West Lafayette). Some might think that beating Harrison isn't that big of a deal, but this season for Noblesville, we take wins when we can get them.
Noblesville socked the host Raiders for 9 hits, including doubles by Caleb Shore and Sam Wides and a two-run home run by Austin Ramey.
Brock Hammond started and Ben Yoder finished the game, combining on for eight hits. Yoder secured the win in the bottom of the7th for the Millers.
Senior Night: Harrison (West Lafayette) 2, Noblesville 1 (8 innings)
Things started out somewhat shaky in the top of the first inning. With one out, there was a little controversy at home plate. Nick Leuck was up to bat for the Raiders and our plate umpire was already having trouble keeping track of the count. In a nutshell, Leuck was technically given an extra pitch in the at-bat. He was walked on 7 (technically 8 pitches). The plate umpire's mishap turned out to slap Leuck right in the face. On the first pitch of DH David Carnahan's at-bat, Leuck tried to steal second base, but Noblesville catcher Sam Wides had other ideas in mind. He threw a rocket to second base and Seth Rayle tagged Leuck out, fueling the home crowd at Dunker Field.
The Miller half of the first started out eventful, fueled by that previous momentum. Derek Asuras led things off with a walk. He advanced to 2nd on a fielder's choice at-bat by Dewey Rodgers. Asuras advanced to 3rd on an error by Harrison 2B Payton Smith. Rodgers sole second on the very next pitch. Jameson Brock then hit a sky-high fly ball to left field. It was high and far enough to allow Asuras to score from third for a Brock sacrifice fly and a 1-0 Noblesville lead.
The second through seventh innings were nothing short of a chess match. Noblesville senior Ryan Byrne struckout nine for the game and they all came within those six innings.
The Millers' bats weren't quiet by any means during that span of baseball. They had five base hits, nine fly ball outs and five groundouts. Talk about opportunities that they weren't able to take advantage of to score some runs.
Harrison found a way to tie the score up at 1-1 in the top of the 6th inning, however. Joe Dinkel had a one out 2B to get things going for the Raiders. He then scored on David Carnahan's hit in the infield that was ruled an error on Miller shortstop Tanner Watson.
Derek Asuras had a two-out single, followed by a steal of second base, but it wasn't enough for Noblesville in the bottom of the 7th inning. We're playing extra baseball on Senior Night at The Dunk!
Normally a starter, junior Kent Williams was sent in by Coach Keever in a relief role to lend a helping hand to senior starter Ryan Byrne. Williams seemed out of sync, walking the Raider #9 hitter Evan Tislow on five pitches. Dinkel laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Tislow to second. Leuck walked for runners at first and second. Tislow moved to third easily. He scored on a groundball that was an opportunity for a double play to end the Raider 8th. Rayle's toss to Watson was good to second base, but Watson's throw to first sailed over Austin Ramey's head, which allowed Tislow home from third. Tislow's run gave Harrison a 2-1 lead.
Brock roped a one out single to center, then stole second. JB advanced to third on an infield single from Caleb Shore. C-Shore and Jameson Brock were stranded at second and third bases, respectively, as Seth Rayle struckout with a full count to end the ballgame and the threat of Noblesville winning on Senior Night. Harrison 2, Noblesville 1 in 8 innings.
I've been exactly where these 6 seniors are at following a loss on senior night. I'll never forget every moment of senior night. Those moments stick with you and overshadow all other moments, but only for the time being. They'll never forget how they won the 2010 Class 4A Sectional 9 Championship at home, under the lights at Dunker Field.
The Millers will continue their quest to right the ship and bring home the 2011 4A Sectional 9 title, but this time they're playing at Zionsville's new stadium. On the first day of play, Carmel takes on host Zionsville, followed by Noblesville and Fishers. The winners of those two games will face off on Monday, Memorial Day, at 11am. Hamilton Southeastern and Westfield will play in the bye game of the bracket, just after the matchup between the winners of the first two games. The championship game will be played at 7:30 Monday evening.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Millers split with Westfield; Derek Asuras throws 2nd career no-hitter
As much as he gets on base, he should be happier about being walked. That simply means that the opposing pitchers respect his hitting abilities as a leadoff hitter and don’t want to give him good pitches to hit. Most players would kill to be on base as much as DA is and I think he relishes the amount of opportunities that he gets on the base path. That seems to be the case with Noblesville leadoff hitter Derek Asuras.
In Monday night’s game at Westfield
Catcher Sam Wides led things off in the 2nd with a swinging strikeout, but climbed aboard first with the third strike being dropped in the dirt by Westfield catcher Mike McBride, allowing Wides to reach first. With Asuras back up, McBride allowed two more passed balls and Sam wound up at third with no outs. Asuras knew exactly what to do. He hit a ball deep enough to right field for a sacrifice fly, driving the NHS catcher in from third for a 3-0 Miller lead.
From my vantage point halfway down the first base side, I could tell that the Noblesville outfielders were playing a little shallower that they normally do. So, what happened to lead off the Shamrocks’ half of the second? Wade Burtron sailed a 1-1 pitch to deep left center and over the head of CF Caleb Shore for a leadoff triple. Burtron tried to score on a passed ball, but Wides tossed to pitcher Kent Williams in time to tag the Westfield CF out at the plate.
Nick Saldutti walked and reached second on an Andrew McCafferty single to center. Both advanced to third and second, respectively, because of an apparent balk call on Williams at the mound. The plate umpire claimed that Kent
That throw fired up Brock. He stroked an 0-1 pitch to left for his second hit. Austin Ramey also singled on the very next pitch. Caleb Shore Westfield
The Rocks weren’t done with their rally. They scored three more in the bottom of the 5th inning. Gehr hit a one-out single to right center and Burtron walked. Saldutti then smashed a 1-1 Yoder pitch to deep right, almost leaving the park, giving him a triple with ease. That drove home Gehr and Burtron to give Westfield
Noblesville went quietly in the 5th and 6th innings, with only six plate appearances.
Alec Nelson reached via an error on Austin Ramey at first to start off the bottom of the sixth and was sitting on second from a sacrifice bunt by Mike McBride. Gehr hit a ball just over the head of Seth Rayle at SS to score Nelson for the final score of 9-6 for a Westfield
The Millers did manage a single from Shore to lead off the 7th and Brock Hammond was hit by a Saldutti pitch for two runners on base and in scoring position. Rayle lined out to second base. Patrick Rader pinch hit for Wides, flying out in foul territory down the right field line. Asuras flied out to center to end the game and the Millers final threat.
Despite the fact that Noblesville left 10 runners on base, there was a positive that can come out of this tough loss. Yes, they gave up a total of 7 runs on three hits, four walks, an HBP and a fielder’s choice in the fourth and fifth innings combined. The positive that the Millers can take back to Dunker Field for Tuesday night’s second game of the series, is that Jameson Brock is back in the Noblesville starting lineup. He rejoined Shore and Asuras to patrol the outfield after serving a 9 game suspension for the violation of team rules.
Noblesville 5, Westfield
Derek Asuras – 2nd career no-hitter
When a pitcher is completely in the zone, they’re no where but in the zone. They have tunnel vision. They stay focused. Nothing else is on his mind, but the game itself. He sits by himself in the dugout. Most importantly, while he’s not allowing a single hit by the opponent, no one, absolutely no one in the dugout speaks a word of him not giving up a single hit. It’s considered a curse or jinx to talk about it in any way. Bottom line.
Derek Asuras was dialed in, to say the least, as he took the mound as the starting pitcher for the final time in a home game at Donald J. Dunker Field. He struck out five of the first seven Westfield
Asuras wasn’t alone in being focused on the mound. His opponent Eddie Tomich allowed just two hits through 5-plus innings of work, including five walks while striking out just two Miller hitters.
Tomich was replaced by relief pitcher Andy Gehr in the 6th, Rodgers at second and Brock at first. Austin Ramey singled to left, scoring Dewey from third to break the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth. It was a repeat performance by Caleb Shore
With DA back on the mound to try and finish up what he started, the Miller defense tightened up for him and I think he greatly appreciated it. Brandon Gray flied out to center for the first out. Alec Nelson reached first on an error by shortstop Tanner Watson. Manworren struck out for the second out. Pinch hitter Ethan Stelts was facing an 0-2 hole in the count and swung at the third pitch. Stelts hit a groundball to freshman second baseman Garrett Christman. GC fielded the grounder and flipped the ball to Tanner Watson, who was standing on second, for the final out of the game, completing the no-hitter by Derek Asuras.
Asuras pitched a complete game, shutout, four walk, and nine strikeout no-hitter. This was the second no hitter that DA has thrown in his high school career. He threw his first during his sophomore on the Millers’ trip to Tennessee
Friday, May 20, 2011
Millers dominate 1st Annual Noblesville Classic
Saturday’s 1st Annual Noblesville Classic was exactly what the Noblesville Millers needed at this point in their season. Two games that can be confidence builders for the remainder of the regular season, plus a possible state tournament run again.
Noblesville 12, Twin Lakes
It took the Millers their first few hitters to get used to Twin Lakes
Austin Ramey singled to shallow left to start. DH Brock Hammond reached on an error by second baseman Tyler Barnes. Caleb Shore Hammond
With Christman and Williams on base, Derek Asuras hit a two-run triple to left center. Tanner Watson and Dewey Rodgers walked to load the bases again. Asuras and Watson both scored with ease on passed balls to the backstop net. Ramey walked, giving NHS runners at the corners. Brock Hammond
The NHS 2nd inning: 9 runs, 6 hits, 4 walks, 4 singles, 2 extra base hits.
After that, it was smooth sailing for the Millers.
Noblesville catcher Sam Wides led the 3rd off with a walk. He was driven home the next at-bat as Derek Asuras drove a two-run home run to deep right center, giving the Millers an 11-1 lead.
Ryan Connell scored the first Twin Lakes
Austin Ramey led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple to the center field wall. Hammond
Hamilton Heights 13, Mississinewa 0 (5 innings)
The Hamilton Heights Huskies came to the Noblesville Classic wanting to win, like they’ve been doing as of late. It was quite obvious that they wouldn’t accept a loss against Mississinewa, blanking the Indians 13-0 in five innings.
Heights scored four in the 1st inning, 8 in the 2nd and tacked on one more run in the 4th to make it a “baker’s dozen,” which pitted them in the Noblesville Classic championship game against the host Noblesville Millers.
Logan Cunningham led the Huskie hitters going 3-for-3 with three runs scored, including a two-run single, a triple and two RBI’s. Not to mention, he was hit by a pitch during his second at-bat, the elder Cunningham reached base in all four plate appearances.
Kevin Beery, Spencer Dull, Andrew Knapp and Seth Small all four scored two runs a piece for Hamilton Heights
Noblesville Classic – Consolation Game
Mississinewa vs. Twin Lakes
Noblesville Classic – Championship Game
Noblesville 8, Hamilton Heights
Noblesville starting pitcher Ryan Byrne has endured quite the senior baseball season, quite the opposite of what he anticipated, that is. Coming into the Noblesville Classic championship game, Byrne’s record for the second was 0-6, not the typical Ryan Byrne that we’ve been used to for the past three seasons. Even though it’s late in the season, Saturday night’s game vs. Hamilton Heights
His pitches were hitting the zone where Wides wanted them to (94 pitches, 62 strikes) and he was finally in control of his game on the mound. Byrne wasted no time at all, striking out the side in the first inning on his way to striking out 10 for the game. He also struck out two in the 2nd and 6th innings to keep the Hamilton Heights
Noblesville got to it right away at the plate in the bottom of the first. Asuras and Watson both walked to put runners at first and second. Dewey Rodgers drilled a double to the right center wall, scoring Asuras for a 1-0 lead. With Watson now at third and Rodgers at second, Austin Ramey grounded out to the shortstop, scoring Tanner Watson from third. Brock Hammond
With a 2-0 count to lead off the 5th, Rodgers set a ball sailing over the trees in the right field corner for a solo home run. Ramey reached on a swinging strikeout. Caleb Shore
Asuras scored the game’s final run on an RBI groundout by Garrett Christman for the final count of 8-1 for the host Millers.
Noblesville Classic All-tournament team
P Ryan Byrne, Noblesville: 6 innings, 10 strikeouts, 1st win of 2011
P Tyler Anderson, HH: 5 strikeouts (pitching); 2-for-4, 2B, 2 BB
C Sam Wides, Noblesville: 3 put-outs, 0-4, run, BB
1B Austin Ramey, Noblesville: 2-6, 4 runs, 4 RBIs, 3B
2B Tanner Watson, Noblesville: 1-4, 2 runs, 2 BB, 2 FC
SS Kevin Beery, Ham. Heights: 2-6, 2 runs, RBI, 2B
3B Dewey Rodgers, Noblesville: 2-6, 3 runs, 2 RBIs, 2 BB, 2B, solo HR
OF Derek Asuras, Noblesville: 3-5, 4 runs, 2-R 3B, 2-R HR, 2 1Bs, 2 BB
OF Caleb Shore
OF Logan
OF Zach Diener, Twin Lakes
DH Brock Hammond, Noblesville: 2-7, 3 RBI, 2 runs, 2B, 2 RBI groundouts
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Noblesville splits HCC series with Hamilton Southeastern, makes progress
After the Millers won a confident 6-2 victory on Tuesday night at home vs. Hamilton Southeastern, they were hoping repeat the same as they made the short trip to visit the Royals on Thursday night. HSE escaped with a 4-2 win to split the HCC series with Hamilton county rival Noblesville.
Noblesville 6, Hamilton Southeastern 2 (Tuesday)
When Noblesville picked up their bats in the bottom of the 1st, they had a different attitude about them that they hadn't had recently. The dugout was more upbeat and they seemed primed for a win. After Derek Asuras flied out to right, the Miller offense got started. The first pitch Tanner Watson saw, he layed down a beautiful bunt down the third base line and out of reach for P Alex Woodcock or 3B Joel Naab, giving Watson a one-out bunt single. Dewey Rodgers walked on four straight pitches. Austin Ramey roped a 1-2 pitch to left, scoring Watson. That would be all that NHS would threat, for the time being.
Noblesville starting pitcher Kent Williams and Hamilton Southeastern's Taylor Hackett, who relieved Woodcock after one inning, kept each opponent's bats in check for the next three innings. The Royals stranded five runners and Millers just one.
HSE got Grant Kistler aboard to lead off the 5th with an error on Miller 3B Dewey Rodgers. Kistler advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Justin Streibel. Wes Edrington singled to left to drive in Kistler, tying the game at 1-1.
The Miller half of the 5th was a little more generous for the hosts. On a 1-0 count, senior CF Caleb Shore drilled a solo home run, the first of his career, over right fild wall for a 2-1 NHS lead. Asuras smacked a single to shallow center and was bunted over by Watson. Rodgers was intentionally walked to give Noblesville Asuras at 2nd and Rodgers at 1st. Austin Ramey then smoked a three-run home run, his 2nd of the season, over the left-center wall, extending the Millers' lead to 4-1. Patrick Rader pinch-hit for DH Ryan Byrne, doubling to deep center and scoring soon after on an RBI groundout by Seth Rayle. This gave NHS a little more cushion at 5-1.
Noblesville 6, Hamilton Southeastern 2 (Tuesday)
When Noblesville picked up their bats in the bottom of the 1st, they had a different attitude about them that they hadn't had recently. The dugout was more upbeat and they seemed primed for a win. After Derek Asuras flied out to right, the Miller offense got started. The first pitch Tanner Watson saw, he layed down a beautiful bunt down the third base line and out of reach for P Alex Woodcock or 3B Joel Naab, giving Watson a one-out bunt single. Dewey Rodgers walked on four straight pitches. Austin Ramey roped a 1-2 pitch to left, scoring Watson. That would be all that NHS would threat, for the time being.
Noblesville starting pitcher Kent Williams and Hamilton Southeastern's Taylor Hackett, who relieved Woodcock after one inning, kept each opponent's bats in check for the next three innings. The Royals stranded five runners and Millers just one.
HSE got Grant Kistler aboard to lead off the 5th with an error on Miller 3B Dewey Rodgers. Kistler advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Justin Streibel. Wes Edrington singled to left to drive in Kistler, tying the game at 1-1.
The Miller half of the 5th was a little more generous for the hosts. On a 1-0 count, senior CF Caleb Shore drilled a solo home run, the first of his career, over right fild wall for a 2-1 NHS lead. Asuras smacked a single to shallow center and was bunted over by Watson. Rodgers was intentionally walked to give Noblesville Asuras at 2nd and Rodgers at 1st. Austin Ramey then smoked a three-run home run, his 2nd of the season, over the left-center wall, extending the Millers' lead to 4-1. Patrick Rader pinch-hit for DH Ryan Byrne, doubling to deep center and scoring soon after on an RBI groundout by Seth Rayle. This gave NHS a little more cushion at 5-1.
Kent Williams struck out the side in the Royals' top half of the sixth, two were rung up looking. Despite allowing Mitch Roman to drive in Justin Streibel, Williams wasn't phased at all. He struck out Sean Green and Sean Davis consecutively to end the game and the HSE threat, 6-2. Kent now has a team-leading 5-3 record.
Hamilton Southeastern 4, Noblesville 2 (Thursday)
The host Royals didn't waste any time at all in getting to Miller starting pitcher Derek Asuras. They roughed DA up in the bottom of the first with 3 walks, two hits and two runs, while leaving the bases loaded.
Sam Wides drilled a two-out double to left-center, but it was nullified when he was caught leading off second base in the 2nd.
Asuras led off the top of the third with a walk, something he's used to lately. Stealing second, he was driven home on an RBI-double by Rodgers to deep center. That cut the Hamilton Southeastern lead to 2-1.
HSE pitcher Steven Curry led off the third with a double to left. He then scored one hitter later when Grant Kistler reached via an error by third basemen Dewey Rodgers. Then, with one out, Joel Naab flied out to right. Blake Kistler tried scoring from third, but was gunned down at the plate by RF Patrick Rader on a rope to Wides at home.
Seth Rayle led off the fourth with a single to shallow center, but he was stranded at third. Nevin Fansher, Caleb Shore and Wides committed three outs in a row to end the fourth with a runner in scoring position at third.
DH Kyle Ray started the Royal fourth off with a double to left-center. Wes Edrington and Justin Streibel popped out in two straight at-bats. With two outs, Mitch Roman drove in his second run of the series, singling to right, allowing Ray to score from second and up their lead to 4-1.
Asuras tried to help his own mound cause, but walked for the second time. He advanced to second on a passed ball. With a 2-2 count, Tanner Watson sailed a ball down the right field line for an RBI triple and closing the Millers' deficit to 4-2. It didn't help matters that Rodgers, Ramey and Rader struckout in three straight at-bats to end the 5th.
Hamilton Southeastern brought in relief pitcher Evan Rice to try shutting down Noblesville for good. Rice came in with two outs in the 6th, throwing just one pitch and forcing Watson to hit a grounder to second for the force out of Asuras at second for the final out of in the top of six.
Noblesville relief pitcher Brock Hammond retired the first three Royals in the bottom of the sixth, in hopes of getting the Millers another shot at scoring runs. Instead, it was the complete opposite. Rodgers and Austin Ramey both flied out to right. Rader was NHS's last resort. Facing a 1-1 count, Rader fouled a ball sky high down the first base side along the fence. 1B Sean Davis, who is probably 6'4, used his long arm and reached just over the fence, catching the foul ball for the final out of the game.
This was a hard fought series between the Millers (10-14) and Royals (11-11) and could very well be a preview of a possible rematch in the Class 4A Sectional at Zionsville.
The IHSAA will draw the 45th Annual IHSAA Baseball State Tournament pairings on Tuesday, May 17th at 8:00 a.m.
Noblesville hosts the 1st Annual Noblesville Classic with Twin Lakes, Mississienewa and Hamilton Heights coming to town for a four-game Saturday at Dunker Field. Hamilton Southeastern hosts Perry Meridian for a doubleheader at home on Saturday.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Something has got to give for this Noblesville squad...
You wanna talk about a team that can't catch a break? Take a look at this 2011 version of the Noblesville Millers. They're a tough-luck group that has all the intrical parts to be one of the best baseball teams in the state of Indiana. Unfortunately, some pieces haven't produced when the coaching staff hoped they would.
Three-time All-HCC/All-State starting pitcher Ryan Byrne is having the worst possible luck during his senior season. Byrne is currently 0-5 with a 5.86 ERA. He's given up 52 hits, 33 run (29 earned), only walked 14, but struck out 46 in 34.2 innings on the mound. After being all-state and all-conference the first three years of high school, this is far from what Byrne expected his senior year to be like.
Junior shortstop Seth Rayle was suspended for the first 10 games this season for violating team rules. He rejoined the Millers' starting lineup under the lights in a Saturday night tilt at Carmel. Rayle is 9-for-29 (.310) with 4 RBI's, 2 doubles and 8 runs scored, in just 11 games.
Jameson Brock was recently suspended 10 games for also violating team rules. JB will be able to play again when Noblesville heads to Harrison (West Lafayette) on Thursday, May 19. Brock was batting .302, going 16-for-53, 3 doubles, 4 RBI's, 8 runs scored. Senior Caleb Shore, junior Patrick Rader and freshman Garrett Christman have replaced JB in the lineup while he's out.
Through 21 games thus far, the Millers are 9-12, 2-9 in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference. They've lost 10 of their last 13 games since coming off a great Spring Break trip. Eight of those losses have come by four runs or fewer, three in nine innings.
We're honestly seeing some shades of the 2010 Millers, in spurts, but they may get there yet. This year, they're just not able to catch any breaks, they've more or less become the victim in those situations.
Losing both Fishers games by two runs total, 7-6 and 9-8 (9 innings), dropping two to Brownsburg, 3-2 and 3-0 (9 innings) really started the HCC season off in the opposite direction. The 4th Annual Victory Field Classic vs. Zionsville was only good after the first inning. The Eagles plated 4 in the first and played defense for six innings to seal a 4-1 win over the Millers on neutral turf.
They split with Lafayette Jeff, winning at home 5-1 and losing handedly at Loeb Stadium 9-1. NHS got a much needed W against 3A #11 Delphi in come-from-behind fashion, 4-2 on April 30. This past week, things looked to be getting on track...somewhat. Monday, the Millers lost a heartbreaker at McCutcheon, 2-0. Tuesday night's game was originally slated for a home game at Dunker Field, but with all the rain we had Sunday and Monday, the game was moved back to McCutcheon, but Noblesville would still be the home team on the board. All was going well, until the Mavericks pinned 4 runs in the top of the ninth and stymied the Miller bats in the bottom to hang on for a 9-5 win in 9 innings. Thursday night brought us a 9-6 win over 4A #9 Avon. Patrick Rader homered deep over the left field wall in that win, while Kent Williams upped his record to 4-2 and Brock Hammond got his first save. Friday night at Avon didn't bode well. With 6 runs in both the third and fourth innings, Avon put the spanking on Noblesville, 14-0, for their worst defeat of 2011.
The outlook for the remaining 9 games of the regular season: really good. Monday and Tuesday at home vs. Zionsville (4A #5) and Hamilton Southeastern, respectively. Thursday they'll play at Hamilton Southeastern to finish up the home-and home series with the Royals. Saturday, we'll host the 1st Annual Noblesville Classic and welcome Twin Lakes (at 11am). Game two pits Hamilton Heights against Mississinewa. Game 3 is the loser of games one and two. The Noblesville Classic title game will be at 7pm. The following week, they'll have two against Westfield and two against Harrison (West Lafayette).
I guess I could say that I'm more optimistic than the next, but I've also got a birds-eye view in the press box at Dunker Field as PA voice of the Millers!
GO MILLERS!
Three-time All-HCC/All-State starting pitcher Ryan Byrne is having the worst possible luck during his senior season. Byrne is currently 0-5 with a 5.86 ERA. He's given up 52 hits, 33 run (29 earned), only walked 14, but struck out 46 in 34.2 innings on the mound. After being all-state and all-conference the first three years of high school, this is far from what Byrne expected his senior year to be like.
Junior shortstop Seth Rayle was suspended for the first 10 games this season for violating team rules. He rejoined the Millers' starting lineup under the lights in a Saturday night tilt at Carmel. Rayle is 9-for-29 (.310) with 4 RBI's, 2 doubles and 8 runs scored, in just 11 games.
Jameson Brock was recently suspended 10 games for also violating team rules. JB will be able to play again when Noblesville heads to Harrison (West Lafayette) on Thursday, May 19. Brock was batting .302, going 16-for-53, 3 doubles, 4 RBI's, 8 runs scored. Senior Caleb Shore, junior Patrick Rader and freshman Garrett Christman have replaced JB in the lineup while he's out.
Through 21 games thus far, the Millers are 9-12, 2-9 in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference. They've lost 10 of their last 13 games since coming off a great Spring Break trip. Eight of those losses have come by four runs or fewer, three in nine innings.
We're honestly seeing some shades of the 2010 Millers, in spurts, but they may get there yet. This year, they're just not able to catch any breaks, they've more or less become the victim in those situations.
Losing both Fishers games by two runs total, 7-6 and 9-8 (9 innings), dropping two to Brownsburg, 3-2 and 3-0 (9 innings) really started the HCC season off in the opposite direction. The 4th Annual Victory Field Classic vs. Zionsville was only good after the first inning. The Eagles plated 4 in the first and played defense for six innings to seal a 4-1 win over the Millers on neutral turf.
They split with Lafayette Jeff, winning at home 5-1 and losing handedly at Loeb Stadium 9-1. NHS got a much needed W against 3A #11 Delphi in come-from-behind fashion, 4-2 on April 30. This past week, things looked to be getting on track...somewhat. Monday, the Millers lost a heartbreaker at McCutcheon, 2-0. Tuesday night's game was originally slated for a home game at Dunker Field, but with all the rain we had Sunday and Monday, the game was moved back to McCutcheon, but Noblesville would still be the home team on the board. All was going well, until the Mavericks pinned 4 runs in the top of the ninth and stymied the Miller bats in the bottom to hang on for a 9-5 win in 9 innings. Thursday night brought us a 9-6 win over 4A #9 Avon. Patrick Rader homered deep over the left field wall in that win, while Kent Williams upped his record to 4-2 and Brock Hammond got his first save. Friday night at Avon didn't bode well. With 6 runs in both the third and fourth innings, Avon put the spanking on Noblesville, 14-0, for their worst defeat of 2011.
The outlook for the remaining 9 games of the regular season: really good. Monday and Tuesday at home vs. Zionsville (4A #5) and Hamilton Southeastern, respectively. Thursday they'll play at Hamilton Southeastern to finish up the home-and home series with the Royals. Saturday, we'll host the 1st Annual Noblesville Classic and welcome Twin Lakes (at 11am). Game two pits Hamilton Heights against Mississinewa. Game 3 is the loser of games one and two. The Noblesville Classic title game will be at 7pm. The following week, they'll have two against Westfield and two against Harrison (West Lafayette).
I guess I could say that I'm more optimistic than the next, but I've also got a birds-eye view in the press box at Dunker Field as PA voice of the Millers!
GO MILLERS!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Noblesville takes two W's this week, getting ready for May run...
Noblesville head coach Justin Keever keeps tweeking the lineup and it works, to an extent. The Millers (8-9, 1-6) won two of their three games this week and are showing the same signs that last season's 2010 Sectional Champions and Elite Eight team did just a couple weeks before the IHSAA State Tournament began.
Noblesville 5, Lafayette Jeff 1 (Tuesday)
On Tuesday at Dunker Field, Lafayette Jeff came to town looking to keep the Millers down. Keever's squad was on a six game losing streak prior to meeting the Bronchos. The streak ended as Noblesville controlled Lafayette Jeff, 5-1. Derek Asuras struck out seven in 7 innings of work, while only walking 2. Dewey Rodgers and Seth Rayle led NHS at the plate. Rodgers went 2-for-3, with a double, single and a run scored. Rayle also went 2-for-3 with a single and an RBI double in the 4th that scored Rodgers.
Lafayette Jeff 9, Noblesville 1 (Thursday)
Not a pretty site from the get-go for the visiting Millers. Lafayette Jeff stormed out of the starting gates in the bottom of the 1st inning with a four-run inning and didn't look back from that point. Getting four runs in the 3rd and 4th innings combined, homestanding Bronchos held Noblesville to three total hits in 24 at-bats. This loss dropped the Millers to 7-9 overall and 1-6 in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
Noblesville 4, Delphi 2 (Saturday)
On Saturday, starting pitcher Kent Williams didn't look like the fire-throwing hurler that he's looked like in previous outings this season. With a 37 pitch first inning, Williams looked like he was taken a step backwards. It took him a few batters to get his head on straight, walking his first three that stepped into the box on 21 pitches. Striking out centerfielder Karson Bender to finally record an out, KW looked to be calmed down now. SS Kodey Sattler then roped a two-run single to center, scoring pitcher Erik Carpenter and RF Austin Hawn for a 2-0 Delphi Oracle lead. Williams struck out Dayton Rumell and Cole Murray to put an end to a first inning that could have been much worse for the junior right-hander.
Going one-two-three in the bottom of one, Noblesville's bats hadn't quite woken up since their 9-1 loss at Jeff two days prior. With one out in the bottom of the second, something felt eerie at Dunker Field. Facing a 2-1 count, Dewey Rodgers put everything he had into a rib-high fastball. The ball went sailing over the left field wall and didn't touch down until it took a 20-foot bounce off State Road 32, landing in the yard of the apartments across the street. "Hello State Road 32!" was my call as I announced the home run over the public address at Dunker Field. It was honestly the first thing that came out of my mouth, so I said it, and it fit perfect for Dewey's ticker-tape homer. That HR brought the Millers back in the game, down just 2-1.
Williams held the Oracles in check through the 6th inning, striking out 7 hitters and walking four. The Miller bats gave him a big boost in the bottom of the sixth. With another one-out at-bat, Rodgers laced a single into shallow left field. DH Patrick Rader walked, with Tyler Mitchener pinch running for him. Austin Ramey struck out, forcing NHS to rally with two outs. Seth Rayle lofted an RBI-single over Delphi 2B Tyler Smith's head, scoring Rodgers and tying the game at 2-2. That hit also advanced Mitchener from first to third. A passed ball to the net behind home plate allowed Mitchener to score with ease, putting the Millers up 3-2. Sam Wides earned an RBI as he also singled to right, scoring Rayle and giving Noblesville a 4-2 lead.
Derek Asuras came on in relief in the top of the 7th. A groundout and 2 strikeouts later, the Millers rejoiced a 4-2 come-from-behind victory at Dunker Field over the visiting Delphi Oracles. Noblesville's offense was led by Rodgers with his solo HR blast to left and sixth inning single, Rayle's RBI single and Wides' 2-for-2 performance with a fielder's choice in the 2nd, bunt single to lead off the 5th and single with 2 RBI's in the 6th.
2A #11 Delphi fell to 8-7 and will likely not receive votes in this week's IHSBCA 2A poll. After starting 7-0 this season, the Oracles are just 1-7 in their last 8 outings. The defending 2A State Runners-Up have hit a rut in their schedule, but will probably bounce back just fine. That's what happened last season. The same result happened and the Oracles made a tremendous 2A State Tournament run. They wound up bowing out in the 2A state title game to defending state champion Heritage Christian, 5-1, and finishing at 26-8.
The Noblesville Millers (8-9, 1-6 HCC) have their work cut out for them in this 12-game stretch to close out the regular season in May. This week, two home-and-home series with McCutcheon (10-3) and 4A #10 (13-3) Avon. They travel to McCutcheon on Monday and Avon on Friday. Dunker Field will be the site of home games against McCutcheon (Tuesday) and Avon (Thursday), all games being 6 p.m. for first pitch.
Last night's lineup vs. Delphi might be what Keever is looking for when it comes to a solid lineup. This team has great potential, just as last season's Sectional Champions/Elite Eight team did. These Millers need to peak now and keep going.
Senior pitcher Ryan Byrne needs to regain the domination factor that he's had since he first took the mound during his freshman year in '08. He's in a funk and is slowly but surely finding his way back. Derek Asuras needs to keep pitching like he has been so far this season. DA has 26 strikeouts in 17.2 innings over his last three appearances. Tanner Watson, Jameson Brock and Dewey Rodgers are three seniors that the coaching staff will count on to lead this group. Ramey and Rader, their bats will wake up this week. Seth Rayle now has 7 games under his belt and is hitting with consistency, along with solidifying the middle of the infield at shortstop with Watson at second. Fansher has become a fixture in LF, while Brock and Asuras have swapped positions, with Asuras back in CF and Brock now in RF. Wides is one of the best defensive catchers in the state and as captain of the infield, Sam has been hitting the ball well of late and could be a vital part of the Millers' offensive success down the stretch in May.
GO MILLERS!
Craig Adkins
-Voice of Miller baseball
Noblesville 5, Lafayette Jeff 1 (Tuesday)
On Tuesday at Dunker Field, Lafayette Jeff came to town looking to keep the Millers down. Keever's squad was on a six game losing streak prior to meeting the Bronchos. The streak ended as Noblesville controlled Lafayette Jeff, 5-1. Derek Asuras struck out seven in 7 innings of work, while only walking 2. Dewey Rodgers and Seth Rayle led NHS at the plate. Rodgers went 2-for-3, with a double, single and a run scored. Rayle also went 2-for-3 with a single and an RBI double in the 4th that scored Rodgers.
Lafayette Jeff 9, Noblesville 1 (Thursday)
Not a pretty site from the get-go for the visiting Millers. Lafayette Jeff stormed out of the starting gates in the bottom of the 1st inning with a four-run inning and didn't look back from that point. Getting four runs in the 3rd and 4th innings combined, homestanding Bronchos held Noblesville to three total hits in 24 at-bats. This loss dropped the Millers to 7-9 overall and 1-6 in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference.
Noblesville 4, Delphi 2 (Saturday)
On Saturday, starting pitcher Kent Williams didn't look like the fire-throwing hurler that he's looked like in previous outings this season. With a 37 pitch first inning, Williams looked like he was taken a step backwards. It took him a few batters to get his head on straight, walking his first three that stepped into the box on 21 pitches. Striking out centerfielder Karson Bender to finally record an out, KW looked to be calmed down now. SS Kodey Sattler then roped a two-run single to center, scoring pitcher Erik Carpenter and RF Austin Hawn for a 2-0 Delphi Oracle lead. Williams struck out Dayton Rumell and Cole Murray to put an end to a first inning that could have been much worse for the junior right-hander.
Going one-two-three in the bottom of one, Noblesville's bats hadn't quite woken up since their 9-1 loss at Jeff two days prior. With one out in the bottom of the second, something felt eerie at Dunker Field. Facing a 2-1 count, Dewey Rodgers put everything he had into a rib-high fastball. The ball went sailing over the left field wall and didn't touch down until it took a 20-foot bounce off State Road 32, landing in the yard of the apartments across the street. "Hello State Road 32!" was my call as I announced the home run over the public address at Dunker Field. It was honestly the first thing that came out of my mouth, so I said it, and it fit perfect for Dewey's ticker-tape homer. That HR brought the Millers back in the game, down just 2-1.
Williams held the Oracles in check through the 6th inning, striking out 7 hitters and walking four. The Miller bats gave him a big boost in the bottom of the sixth. With another one-out at-bat, Rodgers laced a single into shallow left field. DH Patrick Rader walked, with Tyler Mitchener pinch running for him. Austin Ramey struck out, forcing NHS to rally with two outs. Seth Rayle lofted an RBI-single over Delphi 2B Tyler Smith's head, scoring Rodgers and tying the game at 2-2. That hit also advanced Mitchener from first to third. A passed ball to the net behind home plate allowed Mitchener to score with ease, putting the Millers up 3-2. Sam Wides earned an RBI as he also singled to right, scoring Rayle and giving Noblesville a 4-2 lead.
Derek Asuras came on in relief in the top of the 7th. A groundout and 2 strikeouts later, the Millers rejoiced a 4-2 come-from-behind victory at Dunker Field over the visiting Delphi Oracles. Noblesville's offense was led by Rodgers with his solo HR blast to left and sixth inning single, Rayle's RBI single and Wides' 2-for-2 performance with a fielder's choice in the 2nd, bunt single to lead off the 5th and single with 2 RBI's in the 6th.
2A #11 Delphi fell to 8-7 and will likely not receive votes in this week's IHSBCA 2A poll. After starting 7-0 this season, the Oracles are just 1-7 in their last 8 outings. The defending 2A State Runners-Up have hit a rut in their schedule, but will probably bounce back just fine. That's what happened last season. The same result happened and the Oracles made a tremendous 2A State Tournament run. They wound up bowing out in the 2A state title game to defending state champion Heritage Christian, 5-1, and finishing at 26-8.
The Noblesville Millers (8-9, 1-6 HCC) have their work cut out for them in this 12-game stretch to close out the regular season in May. This week, two home-and-home series with McCutcheon (10-3) and 4A #10 (13-3) Avon. They travel to McCutcheon on Monday and Avon on Friday. Dunker Field will be the site of home games against McCutcheon (Tuesday) and Avon (Thursday), all games being 6 p.m. for first pitch.
Last night's lineup vs. Delphi might be what Keever is looking for when it comes to a solid lineup. This team has great potential, just as last season's Sectional Champions/Elite Eight team did. These Millers need to peak now and keep going.
Senior pitcher Ryan Byrne needs to regain the domination factor that he's had since he first took the mound during his freshman year in '08. He's in a funk and is slowly but surely finding his way back. Derek Asuras needs to keep pitching like he has been so far this season. DA has 26 strikeouts in 17.2 innings over his last three appearances. Tanner Watson, Jameson Brock and Dewey Rodgers are three seniors that the coaching staff will count on to lead this group. Ramey and Rader, their bats will wake up this week. Seth Rayle now has 7 games under his belt and is hitting with consistency, along with solidifying the middle of the infield at shortstop with Watson at second. Fansher has become a fixture in LF, while Brock and Asuras have swapped positions, with Asuras back in CF and Brock now in RF. Wides is one of the best defensive catchers in the state and as captain of the infield, Sam has been hitting the ball well of late and could be a vital part of the Millers' offensive success down the stretch in May.
GO MILLERS!
Craig Adkins
-Voice of Miller baseball
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