After a long search, David DeRock found both home run balls blasted into the swamp and weeds by his granddaughter, Carlee Miller.
By JOHN ANDERSON
Houghton University is finishing another Division III season in softball at their beautiful field on campus, and in a few weeks, high school teams will be excited to get a chance to use the field for playoff games.
Houghton junior Carlee Miller, a Fillmore graduate, is a junior on the team and hitting an impressive .290 on the season.
However, through 33 games, she did not have a home run. In a doubleheader on Saturday against The Sage Colleges, Miller blasted two.
During the second game, the large family, who has a lot of Miller-DeRock games to attend in high school and colleges, noticed one member of the family missing.
It wasn’t quite a Home Alone moment, but the grandpa, David DeRock was missing. Dave is on the Belfast Town Council, but loves punching out to go watch his grandchildren play sports.
The Houghton complex, also known as the Kerr-Pegula Sports Complex, has some protected marsh lands, which is where the blasts from Carlee landed.
Her mom, Desiree’ DeRock Miller, had a funny post, with photos, when she saw her dad finally found the softballs and returned to the stands.
Desi posted, “Just an appreciation post to all of the nanas, papas, grandmas and grandpas that are there to help!
“To most it’s just a softball, but to my dad it was a bit more. Carlee hit a pair of home runs this Saturday and his determination to find it says more than he will ever know. He thought “Carlee would like it “! ❤️ After about 45 minutes he finally came up with it! Thank you Mom and Dad for loving them!”
Desiree and Brian Miller have an older daughter, Macy Miller, who playing at St. Bonaventure where she is a senior. Macy pitches and has appeared in seven games as a position player as well.
Macy Miller was recently named a 2023 Bonnies Choice Awards finalist for Women’s Unsung Heroes along with tennis player Kelly Barnes and lacrosse player Sylvi Jenner.
Macy Miller (center in the photo to the right) earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll last season.
There might be more chances for Dave DeRock to go missing. Brian and Desi have three more kids coming up, Preslee, Mylee and Tenlee
Photos from the home run ball quest and finally, the photo of grandpa and granddaughter with the home run balls:
