Two games versus the Harrison Raiders to finish the regular season might be exactly what the Noblesville Millers need to get their bearings back and get into the mode that's going to pretty much be required in the Class 4A Sectional at Zionsville.
Noblesville 11, Harrison 0 (Thurs. 5/16 at Harrison)
Zach St. Pierre got himself back in a good pitching groove during Noblesville's final road trip of the regular season. Tossing a one-hit shutout, St. Pierre got the start out of himself that he's been trying to dig back out for quite a while this season.
St. P hadn't truly had a quality outing since Noblesville took a 4-1 Friday night matchup at Avon on May 3rd.
Zach threw quite a gem at Harrison. It only took the Millers 5 innings to get the job done. St. P only allowed 4 Raiders aboard through five innings and the beauty of it was that the southpaw gave up just one hit, while walking three and striking out 4.
He had plenty of help on offense for sure. TJ Lindstrand led the way at the dish with a 3-3 performance, scoring twice. Brian McLean, Connor Christman and St. Pierre all three had two hits apiece. Dax McLochlin (3), Garrett Christman (2), St. P (2), McLean and Connor Christman combined to drive in nine of the 11 Noblesville runs.
The Millers scored one in the 1st, put up a 7-spot in the 4th and added three more in the top of the fifth to put this one to bed in just 5 innings, 11-0.
Noblesville 7, Harrison 1 (Sat. 5/18 at The Dunk)
It was Senior Day at The Dunk and we saw five seniors play their final home games at Dunker Field, where they've called home for the past few seasons of their high school baseball careers.
The Miller baseball family honored four-year student trainer Clair Wisman, centerfielder Nick Miller, pitcher Tyler Chapman, catcher TJ Lindstrand, pitcher/corner infielder Luke Porter and relief pitcher Drew McLochlin.
Noblesville wanted their offense to pick up right where it left off Thursday night in Lafayette and that's exactly what it did.
Brian McLean led off the game with a double to center off Harrison starting pitcher Matt McConnell. Connor Christman singled to get B-Mc over to third. Luke Porter then walked to load the bases with one out. McLean scored on a passed ball, moving Connor and Porter up to third and second, respectively. Five pitches later on a 2-2 count, TJ Lindstrand drilled a two-run single into center, plating both Connor Christman and Luke Porter for a 3-0 Miller lead after one.
Harrison got itself on the board in the top of three when Nick Torres singled home Nick Morris, who had his own single with one out.
The Millers had contributions across the stat sheet from everyone. Lindstrand and St. Pierre both drove in a pair of runs. Luke Porter got it done on the mound, throwing 6 innings, while striking out six to ear the win in his first start on the hill. Drew McLochlin finished things off in his final relief appearance at The Dunk, allowing just one hit.
Noblesville finished off the Harrison Raiders, 7-1 in this Saturday affair that became Senior Day from Friday night's rain out postponed the series finale to Saturday at 11 a.m.
Next up for the Millers...
Noblesville had plenty of time off to get itself completely healthy to make a run through the 47th Annual IHSAA State Baseball Tournament. The Millers had luck on their side and drew the Bye and have the advantage of not having to play until 11 a.m. on Monday, May 27.
Noblesville (18-11) will face the North Central Panthers (18-6) in the first semifinal of the Class 4A Sectional 8 at Zionsville for an 11 a.m. first pitch.
Semifinal #2 will pit Hamilton Southeastern (12-9) vs. the Carmel Greyhounds (18-10) approximately 45 minutes after Noblesville/North Central.
The two Thursday quarterfinal games were pretty eventful. The Hamilton Southeastern Royals took 9 innings, but they upset the sectional favorite Westfield Shamrocks, 2-1. The Royals got two solo home runs from OF Trey Gantt to advance to the semifinals.
Carmel wasted no time at all in disposing of the hosts and defending sectional/regional champion Zionsville Eagles by an 11-1 score in 5 innings. Carmel completely rocked Wake Forest signee Parker Dunshee with six runs in the first and another three in the second to take a commanding 9-0 lead before Zionsville could blink. Ryan Campbell was nearly unhittable with his sidearm delivery for the Greyhounds.
The championship game of the Zionsville Sectional is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.
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