'Team over self.' Noblesville leans on experience, small ball to repeat as sectional champ

FISHERS — The Noblesville softball team's experience can be quantified by the five seniors and seven juniors on its roster, but the value of that experience is qualified and elevated by the lessons learned en route to Saturday's IHSAA Class 4A Sectional 8 championship game vs. Carmel.

The Millers stayed together through "outside drama" early in the season, coach Deke Bullard said, and continued fighting through one of the toughest schedules in the state.

This team was put through the ringer, but those involved believe they're better for it.

IHSAA softball sectionals: Scores, schedule, updated pairings

So when Carmel freshman Elsa Morrison launched a game-tying home run with two outs in the top of the seventh, the defending sectional champs were entirely unfazed.

After holding the score at 4-4, the Millers went to work at the plate, eventually loading the bases for Kinsey Pfeiffer. The senior infielder was admittedly in a bit of a slump at the plate, but she barreled the second pitch she saw, hitting a grounder between first and second base that was deep enough to score Macy Duvall and lift the Millers to a 5-4 victory.

Noblesville is back-to-back sectional champs for the first time in program history.

"We're all very supportive of each other and want the best for each other," sophomore Gabby Fowler said. "Whenever we get punched in the face, we always want to come right back from that and be the best people we are and support each other. Team over self."

A team with a knack for the long ball — the Millers have hit 30 home runs — Noblesville returned to its small-ball roots Saturday afternoon, logging 11 singles and one first-inning double.

A base hit and a walk were followed by a two-out RBI single by Bella Schatko for the game's second run in the fourth inning, then a seven-pitch walk to Reis Sjoholm in the fifth was followed by five consecutive singles that staked Noblesville to a 4-2 lead (Fowler and Taylor Thompson recorded the RBIs).

Not to be overlooked: Thompson laid down a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the seventh to advance the runners to second and third, and Bullard planned to squeeze bunt the next two batters had Carmel not intentionally walked Taylor Thomas to load the bases.

"We like to use small-ball, especially in high-pressure situations," Pfeiffer said.

"We really build off each other, so once we get one person on, we just keep going," Lauren DeRolf added. "I've played with the other seniors since we were 6 years old. We know how each other play and I have confidence that they're all going to (come through)."

Noblesville was consistent at the plate and excellent in the field, putting together a perfect performance behind pitchers Emme Yee (4.2 innings pitched, five hits, two runs, one strikeout) and Lulu Vanbeek (2.1 innings pitched, four hits, two runs, one walk).

Tatum Ball preserved the team's 1-0 lead in the third, snagging a screaming line drive at short and doubling off the runner at second; then Kira Thomas made a sliding catch in right that likely saved a run with the score tied at 2-2 in the fifth.

DeRolf delivered the game's most significant defensive play with the bases loaded and her team ahead by a run in the sixth. The senior center fielder was perfectly positioned to catch a line drive by Audrey Hussain, then placed a perfect throw into second base for an inning-ending double play.

"We've made some really good plays and it hasn't been just one person," DeRolf said. "Everybody's been making plays and we've carried that momentum from game-to-game. One good play just leads to more and more."

Noblesville's lone mistake, Bullard said, was a pitch left up in the zone to Morrison and the freshman made them pay, crushing it over the left field wall to tie the score at 4-4.

The Greyhounds had seized all momentum, but a lead-off walk to Fowler and a single by Scout Duplaga set the stage for Pfeiffer's walk-off heroics.

"As soon as she hit that ball, I knew it was done. I knew that was game," Bullard said. "You could not have placed it any better."

Noblesville will host Harrison in the regional Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA softball: Noblesville beats Carmel, repeats as sectional champs