Gig Harbor’s crafty ace Adams keeps opposing hitters guessing

Gig Harbor High junior Jordan Adams has a dangerous pitching arsenal.

She throws a 60 mph fastball, an inside curve, an outside curve, a rise ball and has a “nasty” changeup, according to coach Kara Dressel.

And, oh yeah — once in a while, she’ll throw a screwball, just for good measure.

“About the only thing we don’t throw with her is her drop, because she’s so powerful with everything else,” Dressel said. “Her ball has a lot of movement. She’s having a great season so far. We’re just going to keep working. She just keeps getting stronger.”

Adams, who is one the team’s two aces — along with senior Abbie Hutton — recently made her verbal commitment to play softball at Portland State University.

“I love it there,” Adams said. “(Head coach Barb Sherwood) is awesome. I don’t consider her a coach, I consider her more of a friend. She’s just awesome. She knows how to click with the girls. I love the campus. It’s right in the city. It’s close to home, too.”

Dressel said Adams is one of the best pitchers in the entire state, and this season, as a captain, has stepped up to lead.

“She’s been a leader since freshman year,” Dressel said. “It was always kind of a ‘lead by example.’ This year, she’s one of our captains. She was picked by the girls. She’s a very strong leader out there. She’s a competitor and a voice in the dugout, as well. She just loves the game and loves her teammates.”

Adams has never complained about going to practice, making her an ideal role model for the system Dressel has put into place. Last season, Gig Harbor went to the Class 4A state tournament for the first time since the 2000-2001 season. While the Tides didn’t win either of their state tournament games, the players felt fulfilled in reaching their goal of making it to state.

“We felt successful,” Adams said. “We felt like all our hard work was paid off. It had been a while (since Gig Harbor had been to state). It just felt like everything paid off. I hope to go again this year.”

Dressel has been a big part of resurrecting the Gig Harbor softball program.

“She really pushes us to be better every day,” Adams said. “She doesn’t let us goof off. We have our fun, but she always pushes us to better.”

While the bats still have to come around a bit, Dressel likes what she sees from this year’s group. Having a reliable 1-2 pitching punch certainly makes her job a lot easier.

“I expect them to get to state,” Dressel said. “We’re young and we’ve got some good speed. It’s a happier team this season. We’re really getting along as one group.”

Adams hopes she can guide the group back to Spokane, where the state tournament is held.

“My expectation for myself is just to do me and be successful, personally and for the team,” she said. “For the team, I just want us to click and be awesome.”

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 1:16 PM with the headline "Gig Harbor’s crafty ace Adams keeps opposing hitters guessing."