By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
When Kurtlin Hulette took over the Miller softball program, the goal was to build something sustainable.
With back-to-back 18-win seasons under his belt, the challenge now is simple: Maintain it.
“Our focus is to refine what has worked in the past and (scale) it up a few notches,” Hulette said. “We will continue to keep focusing on the little things and adding layers to the system that is in place.”
Year three begins with a solid foundation, as the Cardinals return seven starters from the team that went 18-5 last season.
“This is going to help us a lot because these girls will already know the system,” the coach added. “We will be able to hit the ground running because of this, which in return will make things a little bit easier on the lineup side of things.”
But that lineup knows momentum alone doesn’t win championships. After closing the regular season on a 9-1 run, the Cardinals were upset in the first round of the 2025 district tournament.
The early exit gave the players some valuable lessons for this spring.
“Details matter even more in high-pressure moments and situations,” Hulette said. “The small mistakes we make become magnified in districts. We are a better team for it because of the experience that we have gained through these district games.”
All-state catcher Rachel Nunez returns to guide the Cardinals in her senior season. She hit .592 and drove in 40 runs last year, though her impact extends far beyond the box score.
“She is a strong leader that leads by example,” Hulette said. “Rachel is a very talented hitter that has a power bat. She does a good job behind the dish in turning non-strikes into strikes while keeping baserunners honest with her arm.”
Tori Hollister, Loghann Leivan and Ashlynn Helton joined Nunez on the postseason honor roll. The trio earned spots on the all-conference, all-district and all-region teams.
Hollister, a junior pitcher, hit .441 with 23 RBI. But her biggest impact is in the circle.
“She has great command over the ball and can place her pitches across all parts of the strike zone,” Hulette said. “Tori also has around four to five pitches that she can deliver.”
Leivan, a senior shortstop, hit .493 and drove in 31 runs. Hulette called her a “foundational piece” of the roster, as she also serves as Miller’s No. 2 pitcher.
“She (plays) infield with consistency and makes the routine plays but also will make the more difficult plays as well,” Huletter said. “She also has an explosive bat.”
Helton, a senior outfielder, is a standout defender who batted .500 with 17 RBI.
“I know any ball that is hit in the air her way is a guaranteed put out,” Hulette said. “She is also a reliable gap-to-gap hitter for us.”
Second baseman Camden Stockton is also back after earning all-conference honors. The senior hit .414 and drove in 18 runs last year.
“Camden is a very smart and consistent piece for us in the infield,” Hulette said. “She will also make the routine plays.”
Third baseman Chloe Hendricks, designated hitter Maddi Scott and utility players Jolene Chew and Riley Prier round out Miller’s returners.
Even with the veteran depth, freshmen will have a chance to contribute right away.
First baseman Addie Hohenfeldt, left fielder Maddie Leivan, outfielder Andie Hull, infielder Maddie Estes and designated hitter Aliah Botzow are among those who could make their varsity debuts in the coming weeks.
“A few of them will play a key role this year,” Hulette said.
The Cardinals will host a March 16 jamboree with Greenfield and Butler. They will open the regular season on March 20 at Strafford.
“I want our team’s identity to be that we play fast and fearless,” Hulette said. “I want teams to know that we are going to be aggressive on the basepath and that we have confident hitters that will attack first-pitch fastballs.”
