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Late Rally Lifts Eagles Past Defending Champion Noblesville in 4A Sectional 8

May 29, 2015



By Pete Cava
PBR Indiana Correspondent



ZIONSVILLE – “Do or do not, there is no try,” read the hand-written message on the signboard in the first-base dugout at the Zionsville Community High School Athletic Complex. 

And just like Yoda, the avocado-colored Jedi Master from the Star Wars films who uttered that line in The Empire Strikes Back, Zionsville’s green-clad Eagles struck back with two runs in the top of the seventh inning Thursday and went on to defeat Noblesville 3-2. 

The contest kicked off 4A Sectional 8 play and ended any hope of a second consecutive 4A state title for the 18th-ranked Millers (19-11). 

“We’ve had a lot of games like that this season,” said Jered Moore, coach of the 4A No. 5 Eagles (22-8).  “I think they did a heck of a job.” 

Grant Sloan played a key role in the Eagles’ victory.  The senior right-hander, who pitched an inning of scoreless relief, got credit for the win after smacking a game-tying triple and scoring the winning run.  “I was proud of him, but I wasn’t surprised,” said Moore.  “He really came through.”  

“(Coach Moore) brought me in for what I had to do, and I did what I needed to do,” said Sloan.  “Of the three, four sectionals I’ve had, this is the first time I’ve actually got to be a part of a game that you get to win.  So it’s an awesome feeling.” 

Due to the luck of draw, Zionsville was the visiting team.  

Noblesville took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first without getting a ball out of the infield.  Eagles starter Nick Prather beaned Noblesville leadoff hitter Travis Gillian, and one out later Michael Carmosino beat out an infield hit to short.  Prather fanned the next man, but nicked Bryce Masterson to load the bases.  When Dax McLochlin grounded sharply to the right of third baseman Chad Garisek, the throw to first sailed wide for an error as Gillian and Carmosino scored. 

Zionsville got a run back in the top of the fourth after Nick Prather and Jack Pilcher led off with back-to-back singles.  The runners moved up on a wild pitch, and one out later Drew Bertram lifted a fly to right that scored Prather. 

Grant Sloan came out of the pen to relieve Prather in the bottom of the sixth.  Sloan whiffed the first two batters he faced, but the next three Millers reached base.  Dax McLochlin smashed a 1-1 delivery over the left fielder's head for a double, and when Ty Lindstrand was hit by a pitch and Austin Shirley drew a walk, Noblesville had the bases loaded.  Sloan slipped a called third strike past the next batter to end the threat. 

Heading into the top of the seventh, Noblesville starter Cory Conway had scattered five hits and a walk while striking out eight.  The junior left-hander gave up a leadoff infield single to Chad Garisek, and when Drew Bertram laid down a sacrifice bunt, Zionsville had the tying run at second base.  

That brought up Sloan, batting for the first time in the contest.  The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder drove the first pitch he saw deep into center field.  Garisek flew home to make it 2-all, and Sloan slid headfirst into third for a three-bagger.  

“(Conway) threw a fastball up and in,” said Sloan.  “Usually, he throws me curve balls, but this time he decided to throw me a fastball.  I thought it was going to be a line drive right to the center fielder.  But he started going in, and I saw it go over his head.  I don’t get many chances to slide into third like that.  I was pretty excited.”  

Riley Bertram followed with a bunt single that rolled between the mound and first base toward second.  Sloan came in to put Zionsville ahead.  

“It’s no secret,” said Coach Moore.  “The other coaches know, the players know, our parents know – everybody knows I’m not a bunting guy.  Of course, I was a little nervous.  But I’ll tell you, Riley did a heck of a job, getting that down and executing like that.” 

And while Zionsville isn’t known for laying down bunts, one of the least likely candidates for a suicide squeeze was Riley Bertram.  “I’ve been struggling bunting,” said the Eagles’ freshman second sacker.  “Coach called on me to get a squeeze in, and I executed it.  I got one down.  I wanted it.”  

Jack Pilcher pitched the seventh for Zionsville and struck out the first Noblesville batter.  After Vincent Essig reached first on an infield error, Pilcher fanned the next man.  The game ended on a checked-swing ground ball to Nick Prather, who had moved to first base, touching off a joyous Eagles celebration. 

Over five innings, Prather doled out two hits and a walk while striking out five.  Both runs charged against him were unearned.  He also went 2-for-3 at the plate.  “Yeah, I was happy,” said the junior right-hander.  “I was disappointed in the first inning – hit the first guy, had an error, gave up two runs – but came back and put up zeroes the rest of the game.” 

Thursday’s contest was a typical Hoosier Crossroads Conference battle, according to Noblesville coach Justin Keever.  “It was a good ballgame,” said Keever, whose Millers took two of three regular-season contests from Zionsville.  “It’s kind of how our conference series, our three games, went all year.  They made some plays there at the end that put them over the top.” 

The one-hour, 57 minute contest, moved back a day due to Wednesday's rain, began under mostly sunny skies with a steady breeze out to left field.  

Zionsville’s next game is Saturday at 4:00 p.m. against 4A No. 6 Westfield, which drew a first-round bye. 

Notes: Sectional 8 competition continues Friday at Zionsville with a doubleheader.  At 5:30, 4A No. 22 Carmel plays Hamilton Southeastern.  Fishers meets North Central in the 8:00 p.m. nightcap. 

Seven players from Thursday's contest will play college ball next year.  For Zionsville, Grant Sloan will attend Virginia, pitcher/first baseman Kellan Elsbury heads to Elon, pitcher Nick Etter goes to Wabash and pitcher Jake Lane will enroll at Florida Tech. 

Noblesville’s Dax McLochlin has signed with Huntington, Vincent Essig is an Indiana U.-South Bend recruit and pitcher Connor Adams will play for Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Mich.

Pete Cava is the author of Indiana-Born Major League Baseball Players:  A Biographical Dictionary, 1871-2014, coming soon from McFarland Publishers.  

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