Player airlifted after striking ballfield wall
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photos/Sharon Kerr JASPER VARSITY baseball players huddle as emergency personel work on senior Jaylon Clotiaux after he was injured during practice Monday afternoon. Clotiaux was airlifted to Christus St. Elizabeth's in Beaumont. Pictured below, coach Steve Smith talks with Clotiaux' parents following the accident.

A Jasper varsity baseball player was airlifted to St. Elizabeth's Christus Hospital in Beaumont after hitting his head on the brick wall at the baseball complex.

Jaylon Clotiaux was transported by Air Rescue Monday afternoon after suffering the injury during practice.

"All of the news that we have heard (Tuesday) has been that he is improving," said Jasper Head Baseball Coach Shawn Mixon. "His cat scan that was scheduled for (Tuesday) was pushed back and we won't know anything else until that is done and read."

Mixon visited with Clotiaux and his family Monday evening at St. Elizabeth's and said the senior outfielder was "sedated but more responsive during the evening and Tuesday morning."

According to JISD Superintendent Bill "Butch" Dean, Clotiaux was injured as he chased a foul ball during Monday's practice.

"When he dove for it, his knees caught the ground and he hit the brick wall," Dean said. "He was unconscious for a short period of time. By the time he was transported he was moving his limbs and that was a good sign."