Ashley Gleason

Barry Faulkner

Ashley Gleason almost giggles when she quickly and convincingly

discloses her favorite method of disposing of opposing hitters.

“I like throwing them rise balls, because they usually can’t hit

them,” the Newport Harbor High junior softball standout said.

One might suggest Gleason’s favorite pitch doubles as an ideal

word to describe her elevated status with the Sailors this season.

She is, after all, clearly a player on the rise.

Gleason was hardly transparent last season, when she led the team

in hitting (.311), hits (19), RBIs (14) and stolen bases (12), while

fashioning a 1-1 pitching record and a 1.12 ERA. She was among three

Sailors named All-Newport-Mesa.

But, with the graduation of seven seniors from the 2003 unit,

Gleason knew she’d be counted upon, this season, for more than

consistent offensive punch.

“It has been an adjustment,” said Gleason, who along with catcher

Julianne Bass, are the team’s co-captains. “I really wanted to step

up this year.”

In addition to stepping up in the leadership department, Gleason

stepped into the pitching circle, after primarily playing third base

as a sophomore.

It was a challenge she was eager to accept.

“I like being in control of the game,” said the Daily Pilot

Athlete of the Week, whose pitching and hitting led the Sailors to a

3-1 record in nonleague play last week.

She went 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs in an 8-1 win over

University March 16, then went 3 for 4 with one RBI, while tossing a

two-hitter and striking out 12 in a 6-1 win over Santiago March 18.

She was 2 for 2 with two RBIs and spun a five-inning three-hitter to

defeat Northwood, 4-2, and help the Sailors split two games in the

Northwood tournament March 20.

Through Friday, Gleason was hitting .432 with 11 runs, nine RBIs,

two doubles, two triples and five stolen bases as the team’s primary

offensive catalyst. As a pitcher, she has posted an 0.44 ERA in 47

2/3 innings with a 4-1 record. Of the 21 runs scored against her,

only three have been earned.

Witnessing such consistent defensive lapses behind her might

unnerve some. But first-year Newport Harbor Coach Mike Davis said

Gleason has been able to maintain admirable focus.

“Errors have beaten us more than other teams have,” Davis said.

“But Ashley has been able to focus through all that. She has had

moments of frustration, but she has kept us in every game.”

Though an estimated 80% of her pitches are rise balls, the travel

ball veteran also expressed confidence in her remaining repertoire,

including a curveball, screwball, changeup, drop and fastball.

“She’s got all the pitches,” said Davis, who believes Gleason’s

initial struggles with control are lessening as she settles more and

more into her role as the team’s primary pitcher.

Gleason said her added pitching responsibility has not hurt her

hitting. It has, in fact, improved her concentration in the batter’s

box.

“I think I want it a little more,” she said of hitting, noting

that any runs she produces may directly translate into pitching

victories.

Gleason, who also plays field hockey for the Sailors, said

softball has been and will remain her athletic passion.