Transition time at Newport Harbor

Bryce Alderton

Mastering the fundamentals is No. 1 on Newport Harbor High softball

coach Sharon Wolfe’s list.

In her first year back coaching softball at her alma mater after a

seven-year absence, Wolfe inherits a team that has gone 6-2 in the

early going. But she stresses there is more work to do.

“All the kids can catch and throw, but they need to do it right on

a consistent basis,” said Wolfe, who played softball, basketball and

volleyball at Harbor before attending Orange Coast College, where she

briefly played softball and basketball before moving on to Long Beach

State. She has coached for 27 years, including the last six seasons

with Newport’s field hockey team.

Wolfe and assistants Diann Pendergrass and Jen Thompson [Harbor’s

girls basketball coach] have been teaching the players how to catch

with two hands in practice, trying to get them stop using just one

hand.

The Sailors have been making solid contact as of late, which

encourages Wolfe.

Newport’s lineup features All-Newport-Mesa selections in seniors

Athena Vasquez, who will continue her softball career next season at

the University of Wisconsin, Kim Moore [district Player of the Year]

and Shelby Crisp, a second-team All-Sea View League selection last

year.

Moore has compiled a 4-1 record this season, and is coming on

strong at the plate, Wolfe said.

Vasquez plays shortstop alongside sophomore third baseman Ashley

Gleason with freshman Sasha Grumman at second. First base has been

occupied by Crisp and sophomore Julianne Bass has been the designated

hitter.

“[Bass] seems to be suited for the No. 4 slot,” Wolfe said. “She

stays so focused and seems to be the person that is holding her own

in that spot.”

Senior Amanda Campbell is behind the plate, while the outfield has

been a revolving door for the most part this season.

Junior Jenny Daniels has been a stalwart in left field with

freshman Darci Pennington and senior Bailey Bearden each receiving

playing time in center. Sophomore Kayleigh Horn can play either the

outfield or infield. Senior Sabrina Couch, who took home second-team

all-league laurels last season, along with juniors Claire Bodenhoefer

and Jennifer Gummerman add another dimension to Newport’s arsenal.

“We have a good, aggressive and focused infield with some speed in

the outfield,” Wolfe said. “We’re more solid on the defensive end. I

just hope our bats do some more talking by the time league rolls

around.”

Newport doesn’t begin league play for another week, but when the

time comes, Newport figures to have its hands full. Laguna Hills

(8-3) is currently ranked ninth in CIF Southern Section Division I

and No. 25 by the Times, while Foothill (4-6) is ranked 20th by the

Times.

Wolfe hopes her six seniors can blaze the leadership path for the

underclassmen.

“They will have to step up and fill their roles heavily challenged

by the underclassmen,” Wolfe said. “Whoever shows more heart and

desire will make the transition stages stronger.”

She takes over for Jess Martinson, who resigned prior to this

season. Martinson led the Tars to their first league win at home in

38 games when the Sailors beat Irvine last season.

Wolfe knows that the players were used to a certain coaching

style, but she remains steadfast in her approach.

“I’m trying to be very patient, consistent and thorough,” she

said. “Just because you have played awhile doesn’t mean you have

everything under your belt. You always need to be working to get, or

keep, your position. I want them to be able to practice some things

and see if that works better than what they were used to. If so, we

can readjust.”