Kouts baseball player Billy Miller is not a typical freshman.

Not in talent. Not in production. Not in demeanor.

“He’s built different in terms of his competitiveness,” Kouts coach Jason Dorshorst said. “He is one of the most competitive human beings I’ve ever met.

“A couple of people have said to me, ‘Maybe he’s going to get nervous out there.’ They said it in regionals and semistate because he’s a freshman. I said, ‘No, I don’t think so. I think he’ll be OK.’ He’s a very competitive kid, but he’s a very quiet kid by nature at the same time.”

The 6-foot-1 Miller has made more than enough noise with his phenomenal two-way play for the Mustangs (27-6), who are ranked No. 1 in Class 1A in the state coaches poll and will meet No. 9 Indianapolis Lutheran (20-10) in the state championship game at Victory Field in Indianapolis at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Miller, a pitcher and shortstop, is 8-0 with a 0.27 ERA, having allowed just 17 hits and 11 walks while striking out 94 in 52 innings. He’s also batting .524 with five homers, four triples, 12 doubles, 45 RBIs and 54 runs scored, leading the team in each category. He has 20 steals, two fewer than freshman second baseman Ben Finney.

Miller has set single-season program records for hits, RBIs, runs and ERA, according to Dorshorst.

“It’s pretty ridiculous,” Dorshorst said.But Miller has taken his success in stride.

“My coaches have been great, teaching me a lot,” he said. “Trusting my teammates. (Junior catcher) Cooper Whitaker’s been huge. He calls pitches for us, and I trust in him on the mound. We’re just working together as a team.

“I’m a little bit surprised. But I’ve worked hard. I’ve played a lot of travel ball. I just wanted to make a deep tournament run. I wanted to make state. That was the goal. For myself, I was just trying to do the best I can, put my team in the best possible position to win games. I’m very thankful I can help our team win games, especially as a freshman.”

Whitaker agrees that he has worked well with Miller, who can hit 90 mph with his fastball.

“He’s a great guy,” Whitaker said. “Obviously, he’s a great player. He’s a main reason why we’re here. He’s a guy we can count on and hope he can help us win a state championship.

“It’s his confidence. He goes out there and probably has more confidence than anyone on the field. It helps him. Obviously, he throws a good speed, harder than most guys in 1A.”

Miller has dominated in the postseason for the Mustangs, who have surrendered only one run in six games. He has pitched 21 scoreless innings in three starts, allowing just five hits and three walks with 35 strikeouts.

Miller threw a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts and no walks in the regional championship game against Tri-County. A dropped third strike accounted for the only base runner — “I spiked it,” he said — and prevented a perfect game.

Miller makes it sound easy.

“Mix in off-speed to keep them off balance,” he said. “Getting ahead in the count. Don’t get behind in the count. Throw a lot of strikes. Let my defense work.”

Miller’s hitting approach also has been straightforward.

“I’m trying to see ball, hit ball,” he said. “Keeping it simple. Don’t overthink at the plate. Just look early in the count. I’m trying not to get down in the count as much the past week. I’ve been trying to be more aggressive up there.”

Miller was the sixth man during the basketball season as Kouts reached a semistate championship game and lost to Clinton Prairie. On Saturday, Miller and the Mustangs proceeded to beat Clinton Prairie in a semistate championship game.

“It was good to get our revenge on them,” he said. “That was huge.

“I just love competing. I like to turn that nervous energy into positives and excitement. The big crowds in basketball, it translates to baseball. We’ve had big crowds in baseball too. The whole community is going to come down. I expect a big crowd.”

Kouts is making its first appearance in a state championship game in baseball and is seeking its first state title in any sport.

“All of us are really good friends off the field,” Miller said. “That’s huge. We all trust each other. We’re all great friends. It goes a long way.

“I’m just ready to go, ready to play. It feels great, and I’m just excited to play. I can’t wait.”