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Softball leader signs with California college
The Advocate
Leadership has come new to sophomore first-baseman Ashley Lokey of the softball team, who has become one of the Saints leaders on and off the field.
“I’m the one that is used to looking up to others,” said Lokey on leadership skills. “It’s a weird feeling. But being a sophomore, you have to be a leader with such a young team this year.”
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Lokey said her leadership techniques are a lot like former Saint Kathy Cox, who is a junior at Boise State.
“Kathy is my hitting idol,” she said. “I looked up to her as a player. She was a quiet leader like myself. She was always so happy and never brought her emotions onto the field.”
Lokey grew up in Elmira, Ore., a city 15 miles outside of Eugene with a population of 2,615 people. Lokey was a four-year letter winner for the Elmira High School Falcons from 2003-07.
During Lokey’s freshman campaign at Elmira, the Falcons won the 3A state championship. During her junior year she was selected honorable mention all-conference and during her senior year she grabbed first team all-conference and statewide honorable mention.
During Lokey’s transition from high school to college softball, she learned to be patient and to become more of a disciplined team player for the Saints.
“I’ve grown up so much since I came to Mt. Hood,” she said. “It’s a lot different from high school. In high school you think the world revolves around you. And in college, things have speeded up. During my two years at Mt. Hood, time has gone by so quickly.”
Last season Lokey was awarded second team all-Southern Region and also made the all-NWAACC tournament team.
Asked how Lokey found MHCC and decided to play for the Saints, she said it was spontaneous.
“My soccer coach in high school knew that I wanted to play softball at the next level so she contacted Meadow (McWhorter) online and things worked out.”
Lokey, in her second season with the Saints, leads the team in many offensive categories; homeruns (8), RBIs (37) and is second on the team in batting average (.422).
Lokey said she gained a lot of inspiration from her mother and stepfather, who have supported her in her every decision growing up. She also mentioned that her parents never thought she stood a chance in becoming the player she has become.
“My parents have always pushed me,” she said, “in making the right decisions and following my dreams. They are just like me, times ten (laid back). They have always wanted the best for me. They didn’t think I was going to go anywhere with softball.”
Lokey said she has always been a “fun and sarcastic” individual on and off the diamond.
“On the field I am not that vocal,” she said. “I don’t say much and my teammates still follow my lead. I’m what they call a quiet leader. Everyone knows me as laughing a lot and having fun.”
Lokey is packing her bags and headed to the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco next season to finish her final two years of college softball for Head Coach Rachel Sherman and the Urban Knights. Lokey received a scholarship and signed her letter of intent Tuesday at Mt. Hood.
“I went to Meadow’s office and told her I need to play softball somewhere next season. I asked if there were any California schools and she knew of a place that was looking for players.”
Sherman, in a phone interview from San Francisco, said Lokey will be a strong asset right away for her softball program and that she has a good chance of getting on the field right away and performing at a high level.
“I think that she has the capability of making an immediate impact offensively and defensively next season,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to having her a part of our program.
Asked how Sherman decided to give Lokey a scholarship, she said she was contacted by McWhorter and talked with other coaches in the NWAACC.
“I got stats of Lokey from last season,” said Sherman, “and I was very impressed. I spoke with a lot of coaches around the NWAACC to find out about her offense. After doing that, I offered her a scholarship.”
Lokey will switch back to outfield next season for the Urban Knights after playing infield all season for the Saints (first base and second base).
“I really like the outfield,” she said. “I will have to switch my throwing style and get my arm back in outfield shape since I have an infielder’s arm now.”
Lokey admits it’s a more comforting situation now that she knows where she is playing next season but added that it won’t change the way she plays for the rest of the season.
“It’s so much better knowing than not knowing,” said Lokey on her scholarship. Sherman told Lokey she has nothing to worry about for the rest of this season.
Coach (Sherman) told me ‘you can go 0-for, for the rest of the season and still come play here next year.’ It’s a good feeling but I am still playing for the Saints right now.”
For now, the 5’4’’ Lokey is looking to finish strong in the Southern Region and go out on a bang with an NWAACC title, something the team fell short of last season.
She said as long as the team can stay healthy and take games more seriously day in and day out, they have a good chance of making noise in this year’s NWAACC Championship at Delta Park.