Ast to continue softball career with Central Methodist

Nevada High School senior Kayler Ast is all smiles after signing a national letter-of-intent with Central Methodist University. The signing-day festivities took place Tuesday afternoon at the NHS Media Center. Pictured front row, from left to right: Terrin Ast, Kayler Ast, and Kendall Ast. Back row: NHS assistant softball coach Danny Penn, NHS head softball coach Tammy Holcomb, and Central Methodist Eagles assistant softball coach, Gene Reardon. Not pictured, Kayler's brothers Kayden and Kodee. (Matthew Resnick/Daily Mail)

Nevada High School's Kayler Ast signed a national letter-of-intent to play softball for NAIA affiliated Central Methodist University located in Fayette, Missouri. The signing-day ceremony took place Tuesday at the NHS Media Center.

Ast was a four-year starter at catcher for Tammy Holcomb's Lady Tigers softball team.

"It's pretty exciting," Ast said. "All the years of playing and hard work have paid off."

Ast said academics were key to her decision, as she was also considering Avila University in Kansas City and Baker University (Kan.)

"I'm going to major in biology and go into pre-med," Ast, who carries a 3.382 GPA said.

Ast said she has relished her four years behind the plate for the Lady Tigers.

"I really loved playing here," she said. "It's going to be hard leaving. I'm going to miss my teammates. I love them, we've been playing together since we were little."

In attendance for Ast's signing was CMU assistant softball coach Gene Reardon.

"She's very good behind the plate and calls a great game," Reardon said. "She blocks the ball really well and is a good leader."

Reardon said that Ast has an excellent opportunity to start as a true freshman.

"We were looking for some catchers," he said. "So she will have the opportunity to come in and play right off the bat. We have both JV and varsity so she's going to get playing time one way or the other.

"Even if she plays JV she's going to get experience playing against other college teams, so it's a great opportunity for her."

Reardon said he is excited for Ast and the decision she made to join CMU.

"We'll work with her bat and try to get that stronger," he said. "She is also versatile and we know that she will come in and work hard. Those are good qualities to have."

Nevada Lady Tigers catcher Kayler Ast, completes a force-out at home plate during an August contest. (Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail)

Nevada assistant softball coach Danny Penn said Ast will be missed.

"Kayler has been in the middle of a lot of our success that we've had as a program," Penn said.

Penn said that during her freshman season Ast was tasked with catching for Lady Tigers star pitcher Christian Novak. Novak went on to play softball for the University of Memphis.

"As a successful senior Christian had very high expectations," Penn said. "And Kayler rose to those expectations."

Penn said some of Ast's biggest strides have come on the defensive side. For her career Ast threw out 28 runners while catching 427 innings.

"Defensively she turned into a much better thrower," Penn said. "She has blocked better. And she has recognized weaknesses and worked hard to correct those, and turn some of those weaknesses into strengths."

Ast wrapped up her prep career as an All-West Central Conference selection.