JACKSON TWP. — Filling the shoes of an All-Ohio pitcher and Division I college recruit like Julia Gossett is never easy. Jackson junior pitcher Courtney Helle has not backed down from the challenge.
There have been ups and downs along the way this spring, but Helle got a signature win by pitching a 3-0 shutout against Louisville on senior night for the Polar Bears.
"We knew she was going to have big shoes to fill this year," Jackson head coach Adam Parker said. "She's worked so hard for us, though. She's constantly trying to improve. Her work ethic is incredible and she will do anything we ask of her. She's the type of kid that will go through a brick wall for you."
Helle didn't go through a brick wall but she did shut out a Louisville (16-3) team that can pile up runs thanks to players such as University of Maryland recruit Matti Benson. Helle struck out three and allowed just three singles while walking no one.
"She showed a lot of control and poise today," Parker said. "She followed the game plan and Morgan Christopher called a great game behind the plate. It was a great performance."
This game might be the confidence booster Jackson was looking for as the OHSAA tournament looms in just a couple of weeks.
"I think this will give us some positive momentum for sure," Helle said. "Louisville came into this game with a really good record. They are a good team. We've thought all year that we could beat the top teams in the area on any given day. Now we know we can do it."
The process of stepping in for Gossett has not been an easy process at times.
"It was a little nerve wracking knowing that I was going to be following her," Helle said. "The goal has been just to get better every day. That's our goal as a team as well and I think we are doing that. I think we are starting to take off as a team at the right time."
Freshman leadoff hitter Gabbi Williamson certainly seems comfortable in her role for Jackson. She had a two-run single with one out in the bottom of the fifth to give Jackson the lead. Williamson scored on a single by Alexis Sin in the next at-bat to make it 3-0.
"She has been outstanding," Parker said. "You wouldn't always know she is a freshman. She never seems to be nervous and she has a knack for producing in big moments."
The final result was a happy senior day for Jackson.
"This is a signature win for these kids," Parker said. "That's probably a top three team in the tournament draw. Louisville is one heck of a team. We feel like we can compete with anybody on any given day if we do our job and we did our job today. It's nice that it happened on senior night. It's a big day for our seniors and it's nice to give them another nice memory here."
Reach Cliff at cliff.hickman@cantonrep.com
On X: @chickmanREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Courtney Helle helps Jackson softball team earn "signature win" in victory over Louisville
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