Zionsville pitcher Davis Moore throws one-hit shutout for sectional win over Noblesville

Indianapolis Star

2 days ago

CARMEL --- Zionsville sophomore pitcher Davis Moore needed 90 pitches to get through six innings in Wednesday's sectional opener against Noblesville and pitch 96 yielded a leadoff triple to IU commit Aiden Reynolds.
The young left-hander was staring down his 120-pitch limit, more than he'd ever thrown in a varsity game. With the tying run 90 feet from home plate, Moore was determined to stay on the mound and finish what he started.
"I'm finishing (the game)," Moore said to his father, Zionsville coach Jered Moore, during a mound visit after the triple. The hit was Noblesville's first of the game. Moore made sure it was the last.
With the infield drawn in, Moore forced a groundball for the first out of the inning. Out No. 2 was a shallow fly ball to right field, preventing Reynolds from tagging up and coming home. With two outs, the infield moved back to normal depth and Moore finished the game with his 10th strikeout, sending Zionsville to a 1-0 victory over the Millers.
Zionsville (19-8) advances to face Fishers (24-5) in the sectional semifinals.
"As long as we kept the runner on third, he was going to finish the game," the elder Moore said. "He's a bulldog out there. I've had the luxury of seeing him quite a few times. I think he prefers those situations -- I don't -- but he does. I had faith in him and he went out and battled. I was proud of him."
Moore had full command of his arsenal against the Millers (16-11). After a first-inning walk, the lefty retired the next 16 batters in a row. Moore struck out the side in the second and fifth innings, using his slider to keep the opposition off balance.
"After my bullpen, I knew I was going to go out here and do what I can do," Moore said. "I've been working my tail off ever since I was a little kid. (Working) with my team and my parents, I believe in myself all day."
Moore generated numerous swings and misses, and when Noblesville made contact, the Eagles' defense was there to pick him up. Left fielder Liam Salapka made a leaping catch, preventing extra bases in the third. Center fielder Riley Agbonhese showed his range, tracking down a ball in the gap to end the fourth. Right fielder Jackson Gilley ended the fifth inning with a sliding catch.