WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — The Noblesville High School softball team was fighting for more than just a win in their regional championship Tuesday.
As News 18 previously covered, a shooting at Noblesville West Middle School last Friday put one student and a teacher in the hospital. Since then, tournament runs for the high school baseball and softball teams have given the community a place to rally.
"It was almost like it wasn't happening," said Kayley Gertz.
"It was a little intense, it was like we didn't really know what was going on," said Taylor Sjoholm.
Those are just a few perspectives from Noblesville students and softball players, who went through the unthinkable.
"I immediately thought of my sister and all her friends because her friends are just like sisters to me," said Sheney Gertz. Gertz's sister is a middle schooler at Nobelsville.
Noblesville took on Harrison High School for a chance to move on to semi-state. The Millers have been a team the community can rally around.
"Exciting because we've got a lot of different students here that have siblings at West," said Taylor Gertz.
Kayley Gertz came to support her older sister Sheney at the game, she says her sister's team is bringing the community together.
"It really has brought it together because you see all over that there are different prayer services and t-shirts are being sold and like there's so many sold," said Gertz.
The team wore logos and t-shirts in support of teacher Jason Seaman, who is now a constant reminder of why the team plays.
"If Noblesville was to win it would mean a lot because it would show that even though something happened, it didn't dwindle," said Gertz. "It's that we're still strong and everything."
Noblesville won the regional championship thanks to a grand slam by Grace Smith.
