Miller’s softball run ends in quarterfinals at hands of Jasper Lady Eagles

The Miller Lady Cardinals softball run ended last week as Jasper defeated Miller, 10-0.
It was a packed house in Jasper as nearly 1,200 people gathered in a town of 500 for the battle of the birds between the Lady Cardinals and Lady Eagles.
Jasper struck early as a leadoff home run from Taylor Hinds gave the Lady Eagles a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Miller was a constant threat getting runners on, in every inning thanks to six walks, but a big third and fifth inning from Jasper led to a 10-0 win. Miller senior Kaylee Helton got to play spoiler, ending Jasper’s no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the top of the sixth inning.
The Lady Cardinals’ season ends with a 6-17 record and marks the end of an illustrious athletic career for Kaylee Helton finishing with three district championships and one state championship in volleyball, four district championships in basketball and concluding with one softball district title.
“In Miller, Kaylee is just THE girl. Everyone is like, ‘Helton’s on the court,’ ‘Helton’s on the field.’ She is just dependable,” said head coach Audrey LaSalle. “You know she’s coming to work hard at everything. The other day was senior skip day and a bunch of people were saying they weren’t coming to practice and she said, “Well, I am,” and came and worked hard then, as well. She is Ms. Miller Lady Cardinals and we are going to miss her but she gave it her all every time out.”

The Lady Cardinals will miss Helton, but they will not be losing much experience next year. And now they have experience in big games.
“I wanted to let the underclassmen know that you have played postseason in volleyball and basketball, but postseason softball exists too. All of you are coming back and this is the time to realize that now is the time to bear down and get better and compete,” Lasalle said. “We aren’t losing a lot and we are going to get better so I’m ready to come back already!”

Returning
The Lady Cardinals return nine of 10 starters next year and, much like on the volleyball and basketball court, Helton will be missed. The future is bright for the Lady Cardinals moving forward.