Coming off three consecutive wins over Pike in their season opener, then Richmond and Hanover Central to win the 2013 Miller Invitational, Noblesville was heating up and ready to continue spring break and keep winning.
Brebeuf had other things in mind for their trip to Noblesville from west 86th street. Starting out their season 0-2, the Braves were hungry and they showed that they were ready to win. Maroon-clad Brebeuf came away from Dunker Field with a 5-2 road win over the Millers.
Garrett Christman got the start for Noblesville and got a reality check on the mound just three hitters in. Nick Chambers grounded out to start the game and DH Kevin Freier walked, but was picked off trying to steal second for out number two. Eric Petruzzi was given the green light by head coach Jeff Scott and took a 3-1 Christman pitch deep over the left field wall for a solo home run and a 1-0 Brebeuf lead.
In their first four innings at the plate, the Millers were only able to get four on base and failed to score in that span.
The Braves were back at it in the top of the 4th. Catcher Hunter Hale walked and scampered down to second on a passed ball. His battery mate Marshall Farren dropped down a perfect bunt single that got Hale to 3rd with no outs. Tyler Holt struckout. Brebeuf wanted to get Hale in from third and that's exactly what 3B John Lowe did. Lowe hit a sacrifice fly to Andrew Wilson in left, scoring Hale and extending their lead to 2-0. Farren crossed the plate on a Nick Chambers single to left center, giving Brebeuf a 3-0 cushion.
Noblesville finally woke up their bats in the bottom of the 5th. Vinny Essig led off by smacking a double over centerfielder Eric Petruzzi's head on one hop. Essig advanced to third on a Trevor Salmon fly out to center. Zach St. Pierre drove home Essig on an RBI groundout to second, putting NHS on the board, but trailing 3-1.
Small ball was the theme for Brebeuf after Petruzzi's first inning solo shot. Hale walked to start the sixth and scored three batters later on Lowe's single to right to put the Braves up 4-1.
Brebeuf tacked one more on the scoreboard in the seventh. Kevin Freier walked to get it going. Petruzzi singled up the middle into center to get Freier to third. Joey Perkins hit a sacrifice fly to Nick Miller in center to score Freier for a 5-1 Brebeuf lead, putting Noblesville against a wall in the bottom of the seventh.
The Millers weren't giving up that easily, especially on their home field. Essig had great patience at the plate, walking on five pitches to lead off and pinch runner Matt Swearingen stole second with ease just after taking over at first for Essig. Trevor Salmon singled to shallow right center, scoring Swearingen to cut the Braves' lead to 5-2. Salmon was forced out at second on a TJ Lindstrand fielder's choice. Then, Brian McLean ended the game and Noblesville's last-ditch effort for a threat by popping out to third baseman Joey Perkins.
It was Brebeuf Jesuit's first win of 2013 (1-2) and the loss dropped Noblesville to 3-1 on the young season.
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