Watching Highland pitcher Arianna Ashcraft pitch one notices nothing out of the ordinary.

Dig deeper and you come to find she is not your ordinary pticher. Not when she pitches with two rods and 26 screws in her spine, there to correct scoliosis (curviture of the spine).

"I found out I had it during an exam in sixth grade," Ashcraft said. "I didn't tell many people I had it. The only person I told was one of my best friend's on the team, Ashley Moffatt."

Highland coach Jamie Waldron didn't know about it for quite some time. HIghland athletic director Rod Huston found out about it just recently. The quiet, but well-spoken sophomore, didn't think it was all that important to bring up.

"It runs in my mom's side of the family," Ashcrfaft said of the scoliosis. "I have a younger cousin who has it, too. The first thing they tried with me was having me wear braces. I did that for two and a half years. It wasn't helping."

The next step was surgery, which took place in December of 2009, halfway through her freshman year at Highland.

In the operation her surgeon fused the bones in her spine together so that they can no longer curve. Her curve was more of an S than a C. He inserted the rods to correct the curve and hold everything in line until the bones heal. The metal parts are placed deep under the spine muscles, and in most cases can't be felt and do not hurt. They are meant to be left in

"They told me the operation took about 6 1/2 hours," Ashcraft recalled. " The surgeon made it very clear I couldn't do very much for quite awhile."

Ashcraft returned to pitching last October. She spent the spring of 2010 watching junior varsity and varsity softball games, longing for the opportunity to get back on the field.

Returning to action in October, she had a decent amount of time to get ready for the 2011 season and has been a key cog in Highland making a late-playoff run. She is used to her condition and the aftermath of the surgery.

"I don't think about it much anymore," Ashcraft said. "After the operation it hurt. As time has gone on adn the bones have healed it's gotten much better."

Prior to the surgery Ashcraft played some outfield and batted. She doesn't do that now because there's more mobility required than she is able to muster. Her pitching is plenty.

"She's done a very good job for us," Waldron said. "She is pitching, and that's important. If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't still have a chance at the playoffs.'

Ashcraft's latest appearance in the circle came last Thursday night in Highland's 11-7 victory over Dobson. Not overpowering, Ashcraft was effective scattering 10 hits and walking one. Her control was excellent with only the batter she walked reaching a three-ball count. The win kept Highland in the hunt for a 5A-I state playoff berth with two games remaining this week against Gilbert and Corona del Sol.

"It's fun to be playing again," Ashcraft said. "If I do feel uncomfortable or have some pain, all I do now is take an advil, and I'm fine. I like being out there."