Senior third baseman Kaylyn Miller helped the Ankeny softball team to a 5-1 victory at ninth-ranked Ames in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Saturday. The Hawkettes (13-26) will play at No. 3 Southeast Polk (30-10) in the regional final on Tuesday.
Miller is batting .232 on the season with seven doubles and 17 RBIs. In the pitcher’s circle, she has compiled a 3-12 record with a 4.91 ERA.
Here is some inside info on Miller:
Congratulations on the win over Ames. Considering your team’s record, did you guys kind of feel like you could play with nothing to lose?
Honestly, I didn’t even think about our record at all. Going into regional games, everyone is 0-0. The only game that matters is the one that you are currently playing. So I would say no, both teams are playing with something to lose. You’re always playing to win to extend your season.
Do you think your team benefited from an earlier game against the Little Cyclones, even though you dropped a 12-10 decision?
I do think the previous game benefited us. We had already seen their top pitcher so we went into this game knowing what to prepare for, and on the other hand, I threw the game when we played them so they hadn’t seen Aubrey (Lensmeyer) yet. I think that also worked to our advantage.
Did that take some of the pressure off to score four runs in the first inning?
Absolutely. The goal is to always score first, so going out in the top of the first inning and scoring four runs definitely took some pressure off. We knew that Ames can hit the ball so we still wanted to extend the lead as much as possible, but starting off the game scoring four was a great start to the game.
Aubrey went on to toss a six-hitter. What did you think of her performance?
Aubrey pitched a great game. She was able to adjust to the zone, and she got a lot of grounders which was crucial. And not only that, but she had some really timely strikeouts. Just overall, she pitched great.
You and your teammates made several outstanding defensive plays. How critical was that to play a clean defensive game?
I mean it’s always important to play a clean game and let our pitcher know that we have her back. For Ames specifically, we knew that if some of the girls got on they would be stealing, so making the outs and keeping them off the bases was really important.
Your team will now play Southeast Polk for the fourth time. All three previous games were close, and your team won one of them. Are you confident you can go over there and beat them again?
I think going in knowing that we’ve already beat them once and also took them to extra innings in another game definitely gives us more confidence, but yes I do believe that we can go over there and beat them again.
What will be the keys to doing that?
Playing another clean defensive game is a big one because they are a good hitting team. On the offensive side, limiting our strikeouts and keeping the ball on the ground to make them make the plays will be equally as important.
Your team is seeking a third consecutive trip to the state tournament. If you can qualify again, would this one mean even more to you since you’re a senior?
I think everything means a little bit more as a senior. It’s my last season playing for the team I grew up watching so yes I would say this would mean even more.
I know you’ve committed to play for Coe next year. Do you know which position you’ll be playing for them?
As of right now, no, I do not.
What are you planning to study?
I am planning on majoring in biology and criminal justice with minors in chemistry and Spanish.
Your sister, Larissa, is a sophomore on the Central College squad. Are you looking forward to playing against her in college?
Yes I am. The Coe vs. Central game is already a rivalry game, but playing against my sister also makes it a little more than that.