The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 85

(S) METRO NORTH EDITION N4 THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2001 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR IIEIjMiI i)P jITS In the mini lunula mm tmj Zone Si, 7 set my mind up that I wanted to get into college. I gave up a lot of free time and a social life, but this is worth it. Ashley Cute lift KVtZli kJlM In the spotlight For just a moment, Kristen Tingley was depressed about losing her No. 1 I -singles spot on the Noblesville High tennis team to Kelly Crull. The senior tennis player quickly and dedicated herself to hav ing the best season she could at No.

2 singles. So far, she is having the best season possible. Entering the week, Tingley was 11-0 and coming off a championship run at the Crawfordsville Invitational on i irnrni -i Kristen Tingley 7i' in A BnMiirrrinr Staff Photos Justin Rumbach Hamilton County baseball battle looms important Carmel vs. Noblesville. No matter the sport, it just seems like something Important is at stake when these Hamilton County programs located less than 10 miles apart get together.

When they hook up on the baseball field Friday at Carmel, state rankings will be on the line. Carmel was ranked No. 1 and Noblesville No. 2 In Class 4A two weeks ago. Last week, the Greyhounds were No.

2 and the Millers No. 3. The tables turned this week for the Millers (10-1), who moved into the No. 2 spot while Carmel (7-3) fell to No. 7.

The Greyhounds, who beat then-No. 1 Center Grove in the first game of a doubleheader Sat- urday, lost to Ben Davis in the second game. "Anytime Carmel and Noblesville get together, it's a big game," said Carmel coach Tom Link-meyer, who has led the Greyhounds to the state finals twice in the past four seasons. Added Noblesville coach Dennis Kas, who has yet to lead Noblesville to a state finals berth: These are two very respectable ballclubs that go about business and play hard." Some of the luster will be missing from the showdown because neither club's top pitcher Is scheduled to take the mound. Noblesville was scheduled to play two Hoo-sier Crossroads Conference games this week.

Carmel, a member of the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference, has two important conference games Saturday. That means professional scouts and spectators will not get a chance to see Carmel's best pitcher, Garrett Berger, go up against Nobles-vllle's best hitter, Wes Whisler. "I tell you who really wants to see that matchup is the scouts," said Kas. "They are two high-profile players, but they may have to wait until the sectional to see that one." However, Berger and Whisler, regarded as two of the state's leading Mr. Baseball candidates, could put on a hitting show.

Berger, who has signed to play baseball at Kentucky, is hitting .350 with three home runs. Whisler, who'll attend UCLA, owns a .607 average with seven homers and 19 RBIs. "Wes can hurt you with his bat and his arm," said Kas, referring to his player's 4-0 record as Noblesville's No. 2 pitcher. Friday's game will hardly be a two-man show.

Carmel will feature outfielder Ryan Conrad, who was hitting over .400 with a couple of homers and triples entering the week. Noblesville features the best third, fourth and fifth hitters in the area in Zach Harris, Whisler and Todd Racine. Entering Tuesday's game with McCutcheon, Harris was batting .450 with 19 runs, while Racine was hitting .514 with two home runs and 17 RBIs. "Any one of those guys can be effective," said Kas. The baseball sectional doesn't begin until May 28, but a key date to watch is May 17, the, day of the tournament draw.

Many will be hoping for a Carmel-Noblesvllle matchup. The reasons are obvious. More baseball notes The race for the HCC title Is shaping up as a good one. Entering the week, Brownsburg, which climbed from No. 4 to No.

1 this week, and Noblesville and Avon owned 4-0 conference records. Harrison (W. Laf.) was 2-2, followed by Hamilton Southeastern (1-3), McCutcheon (1-3) and Zionsville (0-4). The race for the championship will get even hotter in the coming weeks with Noblesville taking on Brownsburg May 8 and 10 (the Millers were to play McCutcheon twice this week), then take on Avon May 22 and 23. And don't count out Southeastern, which still has two games against McCutcheon (May 8-9), Avon (May 15-16) and Brownsburg (May 22-23).

Contact Walter Grable at (317) 816-4426 or via e-mail at walter.grablestarnews.com Batter up: Zionsville High School first baseman Ashley Cutcliff (55) will continue her softball career at the University of Florida. The senior sent a videotape of herself playing to the team, which helped her earn a spot as a walk-on for the Gainesville, Fla. college. She plans to eventually earn a scholarship with the team. Teen fields her own dream Softball player recruits herself for college's program "She has done everything we've "asked her to do," Noblesville coach Chris Stewart said.

"She has been committed to winning as many "matches as she can for herself." That" the attitude Tingley has taken since losing the No. 1 singles slot, a position she held last season. "She (Crull) worked hard and de-', served it," said Tingley, 18. "I really didn't get upset. I'm happy for Kelly." Tingley, who will play soccer at High Point University in North Carolina this fall, has been a model of consistency.

i Her final match at Crawfordsville showed her true mental toughness, i After losing the first set to Cathe-dral's Toni Fields, she battled back and won the second set to force a tiebreaker (coaches voted to play a tiebreaker instead of a third set to save time). From there, Tingley dominated, winding 7-0. "She just dominated that whole thing," said Stewart. "So far, she has done an excellent job for us." Of note Hamilton Southeastern baseball coach Ken Seitz picked up career 'wins Nos. 500 and 501 in Saturday's Royals' sweep of Anderson.

Lebanon's girls tennis match with Harrison (W. Laf.) on April 10 has been 'rescheduled for May 9 (4:15 p.m.) at Lebanon. Lebanon sophomore Reann Sel-mier threw a no-hitter April 10, beating 1-0. Camel's Lindsey McNaughton threw her third no-hitter of the season Saturday in a 1-0 win over Fort Wayne Northrop. McNaughton won three games on the day, striking out 27 in innings.

On tap Shenandoah at Hamilton Southeastern, softball, 5 p.m., Thursday: Royals, who play one of the toughest schedules in the state, today play host to the Class A No. 4 Raiders. I Noblesville at Carmel, 6 p.m., baseball, Friday: On a high school it doesn't get much better than this. Two weeks ago, these two Hamilton County programs were ranked one (Carmel) and two (Noblesville) in Class Last week, Carmel was second Noblesville third. Noblesville is No.

2 this week and Carmel No. 7. Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference track meet, 6 p.m., Friday: Central's track programs have number. The Panthers boys beat Carmel, the defending state champion, in a dual meet, then again last week's North Central Invitational. The Carmel girls tied the Panthers at last week's invitational.

Both of the Greyhounds programs will be out for 'some redemption. Pendleton Heights at Frankton, softball, 4:30 p.m., Tuesday: Two of Pendleton Heights' losses have been to 2A No. 1 Mt. Vernon and 4A No. 5 Carmel.

A third quality loss could be in the order if Class A No. 1 Frankton's Casey Clutch is on her game. The Eagles are coming off a 1-0 loss to Anderson. Walter Grable ZIONSVILLE By Walter Grable STAFF WRITER ince the universities weren't knocking down the door for her services. Ashley Cutcliff decided to take matters into her own hands.

Shut out in the scholarship She anticipates on earning a1 full scholarship at some point if not after her first season, then definitely after the second. That's the plan," said Cutcliff, who already has talked to the coaches about such a scenario. And even though she is going to play at a major Division I program, she continues to work on her game as though she was a freshman. It is not uncommon to see Cutcliff out back working with her older brother, Keith, on her swing and fielding ground balls. "I work non-stop." said Cutcliff, who has five career home runs.

"I haven't stopped training." Walker said Cutcliff needs to work on her focus. Sometimes, she drifts in games and at bats. But the coach said once the heavy-hitting first baseman approaches each game with a better mental attitude, the sky is the limits in regards to her talent. "As the season goes on, she will come around," Walker said. Last season at this time.

Cutcliff was nothing more than an average first baseman for the Eagles. Next year at this time, she expects to be a major contributor on the Florida Gators softball team. Contact Walter Grable at (317) 816-4426 or via e-mail at walter.grablestamews.com Zionsville. And she Is a leader with initiative. Because of a NCAA clearinghouse snafu (she did not get on file with the NCAA In November), Cutcliff found herself on the outside In the scholarship race.

Most of the Division I programs already had used up their allocation of money. Instead of sulking, Cutcliff sat down with her offseason batting coach, Chris Estep. The two put together a tape of the Zionsvllle's first baseman In action and sent it to Florida. Less than a week later, coaches from the Gators had gotten In touch with Walker. "Her hitting mechanics are almost perfect with her bat speed," Walker said.

"With her size (6-1) and power, most big time programs like girls who can hit with power." A couple of days later, Cutcliff was on the phone with the assistant coach at Florida setting up a recruiting trip. "I set my mind up that I wanted to get into college," said Cutcliff, who wanted to play for any school outside of the state. "I gave up a lot of free time and a social life, but this is worth it." Cutcliff parents will pay most of her tuition and room-and-board costs the first year. She plans to get a job this summer to help offset some of the costs. race during the early signing period in November, Cutcliff, a first baseman for the Zionsville High School softball team, made a videotape of herself, sent it to the University of Florida and now the senior will be playing softball for the Gators next year.

"I've always wanted to play for them." said Cutcliff, "and when they told me they would like for me to play for them. I jumped at the chance." Cutcliff will be a preferred walk-on for the Gainesville, university program. And it was all made possible because of the 18-year-old Cutcliff herself. "I'm really proud of her," said Cutcliff mother, Linda. "She took it on herself and worked hard, and she deserves every reward she gets." For now, Ashley Cutcliff is content with leading the Eagles this season.

As of Monday, she was batting .375, with three home runs, 10 RBIs and eight runs for the 6-5 Eagles. "The stuff she did last year is not even close to what she's doing this year," said Zionsville softball coach Lorenzo Walker. Cutcliff is no doubt the leader for METRO NORTH SCHEDULES Marion at Anderson, 4:30 p.m. North Montgomery at Western Boone, 4:30 p.m. Shenandoah at Hamilton SE, 5 p.m.

Zonsville at Hamilton Heights, 5 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS Avon at Noblesville, 4:30 p.m. Carmel' at North Central, 4:30 p.m. Frankton at Alexandria, 4 p.m. Hamilton Heights at Elwood, 4:30 p.m.

Hamilton SE at Westfield, 4:30 p.m. Lebanon at McCutcheon, 4:30 p.m. Mooresville at Zionsville, 4 p.m. Pendleton Heights at Rushville, 5 p.m. TRACK AND FIELD Lapel, Park Tudor at Mt.

Vernon, 4:30 p.m. Westfield, Tri-Central at Clinton Prairie, 4:30 p.m. Yorktown at Frankton (boys), 4:15 p.m. FRIDAY, APRIL 27 BASEBALL Lawrence North at Hamiltrii SE, 5 p.m. Noblesville at Carmel, 6 pn.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26 BASEBALL Alexandria at Mississinewa, 4:30 p.m. Crawfordsville at Lebanon, 7 p.m. Eastbrook at Frankton, 4:30 p.m. Elwood at Wabash, 4:30 p.m. Hamilton Heights at Western Boone, 4:30 p.m.

Lapel at Wes Del, 4:30 p.m. Pendleton Heights at Mt. Vernon, 4:30 p.m. BOYS GOLF 2 Alexandria, Anderson at Muncie South, Chatard at Carmel, 4 p.m. Hamilton Heights at Taylor, 4:30 p.m.

-4' Hamilton SE at Lawrence North, 3:30 p.m. Tri, Knightstown at Lapel, 4 p.m. SOFTBALL Carmel at Roncalli, 4:30 p.m. Elwood at Pendleton Heights, 4:30 p.m. Frankton at Anderson Highland, Lap at Sheridan, 4:30 m.

Lebanon at Westfield, 4:30 p.m, Madison-Grant at Alexandria, 4:30 p.m. SOFTBALL Alexandria at Frankton, 4:30 p.m. Daleville at Lapel, 4:30 p.m. Noblesville at Mt. Vernon, 4:45 p.m.

Pike at Carmel, 4:30 p.m. Sheridan at Zionsville, 4:30 p.m. Tipton at Elwood, 4:30 p.m. Tri-West at Western Boone, 4:30 p.m. Westfield at Yorktown, 5 p.m.

GIRLS TENNIS Anderson at Shenandoah, 4 p.m. Lapel at Hamilton Heights, 4:30 p.m. Mississinewa at Alexandria, 4:30 p.m. Mt. Vernon at Frankton, 4:30 p.m.

Noblesville at Pendleton Heights, 4:30 p.m. Western Boone at Southmont, 4:30 p.m. TRACK AND FIELD Blackford at Elwood, 5 p.m. Eastern Hancock, Park Tudor at Lapel 4:30 p.m. Sheridan, Clinton Prairie at Hamilton Heights, 4:30 p.m.

Tri-West at Western Boone, 4:30 p.m Tipton at Zionsville, 10 a.m. Webo Tournament at Western Boone, 9 a.m. TRACK AND FIELD Anderson, Anderson Highland at Muncie South Invitational, 11 a.m. Hamilton SE at Lime City Relays at Huntington North, noon Western Boone at Covington, 9 a.m. MONDAY, APRIL 30 BASEBALL Alexandria at Yorktown, 6 p.m.

Carmel at Perry Meridian, 5 p.m. Clinton Central at Western Boone, 4:30 p.m. Mt. Vernon at Lapel, 4:30 p.m. New Palestine at Westfield, 4:30 p.m.

Northwest at Lebanon, 7 p.m. Pendleton Heights at Tri, 4:30 p.m. Zionsville at Pike, 4 p.m. BOYS GOLF Anderson at Shenandoah, 4 p.m. Elwood at Oak Hill, 4:30 p.m.

Hamilton SE, Pendleton Heights ai Iron-wood, 4 p.m. SOFTBALL Ben Davis at Noblesville, 6 p.m. Lebanon at Clinton Prairie, 6:30 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS Mt. Vernon at Hamilton SE, 4:30 p.m.

TRACK AND FIELD Alexandria, Elwood and Hamilton Heights at Tipton Relays, 5:15 p.m. Anderson, Pendleton Heights at New Castle Invitational, 4:30 p.m. Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference meet at North Central, 6 p.m. SATURDAY, APRIL 28 BASEBALL Anderson Highland at Huntington North (DH), 1 p.m. Carmel at Lawrence North, 10 a.m.

Carmel at Warren Central, 1 p.m. Lapel at Frankton, 10 a.m. Park Tudor at Hamilton Heights, 11 a.m. Pendleton Heights at Anderson (DH), 10 a.m. Western Boone at Southmoni, 6 p.m.

BOYS GOLF Carmel at Chatard Invitational at Coffin Golf Course, 11 a.m. Frankton at Taylor Invitational, 1 p.m. Hamilton SE, Noblesville, Zionsville, Lebanon at Brownsburg Invitational at West Chase, noon Lapel at Rochester Invitational, 7:30 a.m. SOFTBALL Alexandria at Shenandoah, 10 a.m. Hamilton Heights at Yorktown (DH), 10 a.m.

Lake Central at Carmel, 1:30 p.m. Lapel at Clinton Prairie Invitational, 9 a.m. Noblesville (DH) at Lawrence North, 10 a.m. Penn at Carmel, 11 a.m. Penn at Hamilton SE, 2 p.m.

Western at Hamilton p.m. Zionsville at Pike Tourney, 9 a.m. GIRLS TENNIS Anderson at New Albany Invitational, 9 a.m. Carmel at Merrillville Doubles Tournament, 9 a.m. Lapel at White River Athletic Confyence Tournament at Eastern Hancock, 9 af i.

Pendleton Heights at Muncie Invitauonal, 9 a.m..