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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Favored To Win Inaugural MWC Softball Title
1/26/2000 12:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 26, 2000
Salt Lake City -
The Mountain West Conference announced its preseason poll Tues., Jan. 25.
Utah was selected by the league coaches as the preseason favorite to win the first-ever Mountain West Conference crown. The Utes received three first-place votes and 23 points to edge out New Mexico which claimed two first-place votes and 21 points.
Last season the Utes logged a 28-27 overall record and went 8-11 in the Western Athletic Conference to place fifth. At the WAC Tournament, Utah showed its true colors, placing second to national power, Fresno State. The Utes return eight starters, and 13 letterwinners and lose only two starters from the 1999 team.
Since its beginning in 1976, Utah softball has made 14 NCAA Regional Tournament appearances and five College World Series appearances. Utah boasts a 702-453 (.608) all-time record and a 216-116 (.651) conference record in 24 years.
"I'm very excited about our offense," said Stevens. "We have some solid hitters that bring consistency to our lineup. Michelle Larsen, Nicole Wilkinson, and Carrie Kosderka are all good line drive, contact hitters. Combine those three with Sunny Smith, Jenny Monson, Lindsey Trevis and Nikki Hahurst, who are four of the best power hitters in the conference. We have big hitters, consistent hitters, along with five players who have major speed. Lisa Hashimoto-Hall, Molly McLean, Amberly Jeppson, Angie Kenney and Stacy O'Farrell are so quick that they will tear up the base paths in 2000. Their speed gives us many options, because we can stretch the defense out with our quickness and power. We have the ability to score a lot of runs."
New Mexico had the most wins in school history last season, going 42-14 overall and tying for second place in the WAC with a 14-7 slate. The Lobos return eight starters among 10 letterwinners under the direction of 23-year veteran head coach Susan Craig who received co-Coach of the Year honors in 1999. San Diego State finished tied for third in the conference in 1999 with a 16-8 league record and a 24-34 overall mark. The Aztecs return nine starters and 12 letterwinners. UNLV finished the 1999 season with an 18-31 record and placed sixth in the conference. The Rebels return 10 starters and 15 letterwinners after losing just three players from the 1999 squad. Colorado State went 17-24 overall in 1999 and placed seventh in the final league standings. The Rams return seven starters among 10 letterwinners. The softball program at BYU is in its first season as a varsity sport under the direction of Utah graduate and former assistant coach Mary Kay Amicone.
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