Mounting losses mask Tunker's strong outings

By WAYNE GRUMET

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 22, 2001

ZEPHYRHILLS -- Zephyrhills ace Ashley Tunker is having trouble keeping her pitching performance separate from the team's performance. No matter what coaches and friends tell her, she isn't pitching well.

"If I'm pitching and I feel I've done a really good job, I turn around and look at the scoreboard and I'm not. We're losing," Tunker said. "If we lost I didn't do a good enough job. I take it upon myself even if I hear 50 people tell me it's not my fault. I tell them, "Why are we losing?"'

Tunker not only struggles with her team's 3-10 record, but she can't wrap her mind around the fact she is 0-5.

"It's hard. Last year, at least I won a couple of games," Tunker said. "I'm the only pitcher on the staff who hasn't won a game."

Tunker has pitched much better than her record would indicate. In most of those games, the team has lost despite her performance. Another reason is because Bulldogs coach Pat Moul has thrown Tunker to the wolves.

"Ashley has really pitched well. Things happen when you've got a young team," Moul said. "Plus, look at the teams she has been pitching against. I've put her against Lecanto, Ridgewood, Central, Land O'Lakes and River Ridge. She is not going against easy teams and that's part of it."

Zephyrhills has rarely put everything together to give Tunker a chance for a win. Errors, lack of offense and some rotten luck have been hard to endure. .

"When we have awesome defense, we have a lack of hitting. When we hit the ball, we make too many mistakes," Tunker said. "We haven't had both defense and hitting at the same time. The games we have won we had just enough hits to overcome the errors."

Tunker has also struggled to accept her role. Tunker is one of two seniors on the team. The other senior, Heather Johnson, is a first-year player so Tunker is the leader, like it or not.

"It's difficult for her. You're kind of by yourself," Moul said. "They look at her and how she's doing and if she's keeping it together mentally. They really play off her and look to her for support."

Tunker struggled early in the season to give that support. Tunker isn't shy, but she didn't quite know how to give constructive criticism to her young teammates.

"I'm a loud person anyway but it's hard to find the right words," Tunker said. "(I criticized one first-year player) and I did it meanly. She started to cry and I felt bad. I've gotten much better and I'm so proud of myself."

Moul added, "She's gotten a lot better. She just has to give praise as well as criticism. And the criticism needs to be given in a positive way."

Tunker has tried to stay focused despite her team's poor start. She can relax somewhat after committing to play for Pasco-Hernando Community College last week.

Tunker is now focusing on helping the team any way she can. Regardless of the record, Zephyrhills is looking forward to that one week in April -- the district tournament.

"We can be 22-6 going into districts but if we're not up for that last week forget it, you're out," Moul said. "We've got to work for that week and that's what matters the most."

And when Zephyrhills reaches the point when it is win or go home, Moul will give the ball to Tunker.

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