Prep softball: Sailors still growing

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - With just two seniors, the Newport Harbor High

softball team is expecting to mature this season and focus on contending

in the Sea View League next season. It will be more than tough for Coach

Jess Martinson’s Sailors to win the Sea View (they finished 0-8 in league

last year), but if there were a contest for most two- or even three-sport

athletes, Newport would probably win.

Junior Athena Vasquez, the Tars’ shortstop, played field hockey in the

fall and basketball in the winter. She also traveled with her club team

in the summer. Vasquez, along with juniors Bailey Bearden and Shelby

Crisp earned first-team All-Sea View League honors and All-Newport-Mesa

District recognition last year. Bearden, Newport’s catcher, competed on

the wrestling team in the winter. Crisp, who played third base last year,

could possibly play at first, Martinson said.

Sophomore Kara DeMille, a returning outfielder, played goalkeeper on

the soccer team in the winter.

Newport’s lone seniors are Sara Gorman, a designated hitter, and

Elizabeth Pheifer, who will take on an outfield position.

Martinson said he has high hopes for three freshman that should

contribute immediately, including Ashley Gleason, who pitches and can

catch, Julianne Bass, contending for first or third base, and Jillian

Sacco, an outfielder.

Woodbridge is the Sea View League favorite, Martinson said, and he’s

hoping the Sailors can finish fourth in league.

“The good part about this team is the group of juniors who have played

together for so long,” Martinson said. “They have played with each other

and they know each other. We might be able to win some of the tougher

games this year.”

Martinson is also anxious to take on Back Bay rival Corona del Mar.

“It’s always exciting when those two teams play,” he said.

The Sailors will begin their season in the Costa Mesa Tournament March

2. Newport could possibly meet the Sea Kings in the Costa Mesa tourney,

yet the rivals will definitely clash March 7 at 3:30 p.m. at CdM.

NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SOFTBALL TEAM

Athena Vasquez SS Jr.

Kim Moore P/2B Jr.

Sabrina Couch P/2B Jr.

Bailey Bearden C Jr.

Lindsay Bearden Utl So.

Shelby Crisp 1B Jr.

Sara Gorman DH Sr.

Elizabeth Pheifer OF Sr.

Kara DeMille OF So.

Jennifer Gummerman C So.

Ashley Gleason P/C Fr.

Julianne Bass 1B/3B Fr.

Jillian Sacco OF Fr.

Coach: Jess Martinson