2008 Woodie Awards
Cline steps up as a leader of softball team
Casey Brown
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Sports
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Things are going according to form until Tennessee's Paula Callahan draws the dreaded two-out walk. In something of a surprising move, UT coach Karen Weekly sends in speedy freshman Ashley Cline to run for Callahan.
The sequence of events that follows, Cline said, is one that will play out in her mind for the rest of her life. The next batter, Katherine Card, sends a single to right, and the Arizona outfielder throws wildly to first base.
Having been waved over by the third-base coach, Cline decides that the time is now. She rounds the bag and heads home, sliding just under the tag of Wildcat catcher Callista Balko.
The safe call is made, and Tennessee has its first run and first victory in the 2005 Women's College World Series.
"I was caught up in the moment (when I ran) and took a chance," Cline said, reflecting on the play. "But as I slid in I saw the umpire's face and knew I was safe."
Three years later, one might expect Cline to be patrolling the infield as a senior for the Lady Vols.
Nope.
Instead, she traded her orange for blue and now spends her days in Murfreesboro, attempting to lead MTSU to the promised land she first visited as a freshman.
The UT-MTSU move might seem like an odd one to some, but Cline insisted that it was the right decision. Though she said she has fond memories of her time in Knoxville, she felt like it was simply time to move on.
"I had the time of my life and wouldn't change it for the world," Cline said. "I was happy with the way I played, but I never really felt like I had the coaches' support."
After departing UT following the 2005 season, Cline said she assumed she would never play again. But she credited that little voice, the one that many great athletes seem to have, for her return to the diamond.
"March came around, and I realized I would be wasting God-given talent and (that I) wouldn't fully reach my potential," she said. "Looking back, I'm glad I made the call to (former Blue Raider coach) Leigh Podlesny."
Now as a senior, the utility infielder said she feels the responsibility of leadership placed firmly on her shoulders.
"I think the reason that I'm a leader now is because of the experiences I've had playing with some of the best," Cline said. "Being viewed like that now means people are constantly looking at me and listening to what I say."
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