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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Softball To Host Inaugural Red Desert Classic
2/24/2000 12:00 AM | Softball
This Week: Utah will host the Inaugural Red Desert Classic Tournament, on Fri.-Sun., Feb. 25-27, in St. George, Utah. The eight team tournament features: Utah, Brigham Young, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Southern Utah , Tulsa, Utah State and Washington.
Tournament Quick Facts: The Red Desert Classic is an inaugural event hosted by the University of Utah. Each of the eight teams in the field will play in five pre-determined match-ups. This year's tournament field includes three teams ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 pre-season poll and one other team received votes in the poll.
Julie Lapomarda and Shanz Leonelli of the Utah sports information office are the softball contacts for the tournament. Leonelli will be at the tournament site daily, and can be reached at the Sheraton Hotel at (435) 628-0462. Lapomarda will not be at the tournament, but can be reached at (801) 581-3771.
Utah's Tournament Schedule: The Utes will play three teams ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 pre-season poll.
Friday Southern Utah 12:00 p.m. (No. 11) Stanford 2:00 p.m.
Saturday Tulsa 11:00 a.m. (No. 1) Washington 1:00 p.m.
Sunday (No. 25t) Oklahoma State 11:00 a.m.
The Opposition: SUU's record fell to 0-7 after dropping five games at the UNLV Classic in Las Vegas this past weekend. However, the `Birds improved their competitiveness taking the past three games past the eight-run rule.
SUU lost their opener against Notre Dame, 8-0. The Fighting Irish took advantage of Southern Utah's poor fielding (four errors) and young pitching staff. The following game against Florida International followed the pattern of the Notre Dame game with SUU losing 9-1. However, SUU's Kelly Grundy turned in an impressive performance, going 3-3 at the plate with one stolen base. Saturday morning marked Southern Utah's best performance of the year. The `Birds led 2-1 in the sixth inning against Fordham University before Megan Georgvich hit a two-run double giving the Rams the win 3-2. SUU's Haramoto continued her outstanding play, going 2-2 at the plate with one stolen base. Saturday's nightcap produced a 6-1 loss against Loyola Marymount. The tournament concluded with a 2-7 loss to Cal Poly.
The University of Tulsa Hurricane are currently 5-8 overall. The next game for TU will be a single contest against UNLV on Feb. 24, in Las Vegas, Nev., at noon. The contest will be a prelude to the Red Desert Classic. The Stanford Cardinal will be the first opponent for TU. TU will then take on the Cougars of BYU in its second game of the tournament. On Saturday, TU starts the day with host Utah. The Hurricane finish the day with a game against Utah State. In the biggest test of the season, Tulsa concludes the tournament with a game against No. 1 Washington.
Dawn Reed (Skiatook, Okla.) leads the team in hits (8), at-bats (39), and total bases (11). Defensively, she also leads the squad in assists (20). She is third on the team in total chances (46), only behind either two catches. She has played in all 13 games as well.
The 11th-ranked Stanford softball team (11-1), fresh off winning the title at the Campbell/Cartier Classic in San Diego, heads to St. George, Utah for the Red Desert Classic this weekend. Stanford opens play Friday, meeting Tulsa at noon and Utah at 2:00. Stanford will also face Oklahoma State, BYU and Utah State. Stanford went 5-0 in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament (no champion was determined) and won the Campbell/Cartier Classic to get off to a strong start in 2000.
Stanford traveled to Poway, Calif. for the Campbell/Cartier Classic, hosted by San Diego State last week. The Cardinal went 4-1, the same as No. 3 Fresno State, but won the tournament title based on run differential (Stanford scored 28 runs and allowed five while the Bulldogs scored six and allowed five). Sophomore Jessica Mendoza was named MVP after hitting .429 on the tournament. Saturday Mendoza had three home runs in four at-bats, driving in all three runs against San Diego State and two runs in an 8-0 win over No. 15 Long Beach State. Freshman Dana Sorensen, a San Diego native, enjoyed her homecoming by allowing five hits and no earned runs in 13 innings, while freshman Jaime Forman-Lau was 2-0 with 18 Ks in nine innings. Sorensen joined Mendoza on the all-tournament team.
The Washington softball team, 13-1 and victors in its first three tournaments of the season, are ranked No. 1 in the first weekly USA Today/NFCA poll. The Huskies garnered 16 of 27 first-place votes to oust UCLA from the top spot in the preseason poll.
Washington won the Texas Invitational last weekend in Austin Texas. The Huskies went 4-1 in the tournament. Washington lost their first game to No. 4 Louisiana State, 4-2 and defeated South Florida, 10-0 on Feb. 18. On Sat., Feb 19, the Huskies defeated No. 26 Texas, 5-0 and 6-0. In their final game of the tournament, Washington shut-down No. 4 LSU 4-1. The Huskies completed its second sweep of tournament competition at the Matador Invitational Feb. 11-12, defeating host Cal State Northridge (9-5, 3-0), San Diego State (10-0) and Santa Clara (5-2). The final day of competition, during which UW was to face San Diego State and Santa Clara, was rained out in "The Sunshine State."
The No. 25t Oklahoma State softball team picked up two more wins at home Sun., Feb. 20, in the Southwest Missouri State Tournament, defeating Drake, 6-2, before shutting out the SMS Bears, 3-0. For the game, Amanda Hayes went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in, while Shelley Graham also went 3-for-4 with two runs. In the second game vs. Southwest Missouri State, freshmen Karla Rivera and Lauren Bay combined for a four-hit shutout.
Oklahoma State used two run-rules to win two games Sat., Feb. 19 in the Southwest Missouri State Tournament. OSU defeated SMS, 8-0, before defeating Drake, 8-0. The OSU softball team tied a school record with a 20-0 win over Panhandle State in the first game of a doubleheader at home on Wed., Feb. 16 at Little Couch Park. The 20-0 score ties school records for most runs in a game and largest margin of victory. The Cowgirls defeated Southwest Texas, 20-0, on March 11, 1988.
Weekend Wrap-up: Utah defeated No. 29 Oregon, 1-0 in seven innings at the UNLV Classic on Fri., Feb. 18 in Las Vegas, Nev. Kristin Arbogast got the win for the Utes, pitching her first shut-out of the season. Arbogast allowed only five hits and struck out five in the game. Lyndsey Trevis' RBI single in the first inning gave the Utes their winning run of the ballgame. Teammates Lisa Hashimoto-Hall and Niki Hayhurst each had a hit in the game.
Utah defeated No. 11 Oregon State, 7-6 in eight innings on Fri., Feb. 18. The Utes tied the game, 6-6 in the top of the seventh on a RBI single by Trevis. Utah's Molly McLean scored on the play. Michele Larsen scored on a base hit by Nicole Wilkinson to put the Utes up 7-6. Utah held the Beavers scoreless in both the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings on relief pitching by Arbogast. Arbogast received the win for the Utes, holding OSU to only two hits in three innings pitched. Michele Larsen had three hits, 2 runs and 2 RBI and Trevis had two hits, 2 runs and 1 RBI.
Utah continued on its winning ways, defeating Loyola-Marymount, 6-1 on Sat., Feb. 19 at the UNLV Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. Senior Sunny Smith led the offensive attack, posting 2 hits (1 HR), 2 runs and 3 RBI. Teammate Niki Hayhurst had two hits and three RBI, while Lyndsey Trevis hit a solo home run for the Utes. Arbogast received the win, pitching seven innings, giving up only five hits, one run and struck out three.
In the late game on Sat., Feb. 19, Utah defeated Virginia, 4-3. Sunny Smith was once again a threat at the plate, hitting her third home run of the season. Angie Kenney had one hit and two RBI, and Molly McLean had two hits and one run. Arbogast collected her sixth win for the Utes.
Against Notre Dame, Molly McLean went 2-for-3 (one double) with one run. Sunny Smith hit 1-for-3 and one RBI. Kristin Arbogast recorded the loss for the Utes, pitching seven innings and giving up only seven hits, one earned run two walks and struck out four. Arbogast moves to 6-3 overall.
Coming Up: Utah travels to the Lead-Off Classic on Fri.-Sun., Mar. 3-5 in Columbus, Ga. The 25 team tournament features: Utah, No. 7 Oklahoma, No. 23 Massachusetts, Mississippi State, No. 11 Stanford, Florida State, No. 5 Fresno State, Harvard, Texas, Cal State Northridge, Hofstra, No. 13 Lousiana-Lafayette, No. 21 Nebraska, No. 20 Alabama, No. 6 Arizona State, No. 15 DePaul, No 25t Oklahoma State, Boston College, No. 17 Hawaii, No. 4 LSU, No. 9 Michigan, Florida, No. 18 Illinois-Chicago and No. 1 Washington.
Head Coach Mona Stevens: Mona Stevens, who has built a reputation as one of the top coaches in the nation on both the national and international levels, embarks on her fourth season as head coach at Utah.
A former Ute player and assistant coach, the Provo, Utah, native came home in September of 1996, following a two-year stint at the University of Massachusetts. Stevens was the associate head coach for the Minutewomen during the 1995 and `96 seasons, and was named head coach at UMass in June of `96, three months prior to being hired by her alma mater. In three years under Stevens, the Utes have complied a 114-70 record (.620), chalked-up two third-place finishes in the Western Athletic Conference and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 1997.
Last season, Utah posted a 28-27 overall record and finished fifth in the Western Athletic Conference with an 8-11 mark. The Utes were the runner-up in the WAC Tournament with a 4-2 record, losing to No. 2 Fresno State in the championship game.
MWC Pre-Season Poll: 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.
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.
2000 Outlook: When Utah coach Mona Stevens' players check in for the 2000 season, she's confident they'll be ready for an explosive year of top-notch, competitive softball. Certainly they have a winning tradition on their side. 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.
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 best news about the 1999 team that finished the year so strong might be that the Utes return eight starters and 13 letterwinners and lose only two starters.
Senior leadership will be a major strength of the Utah squad in 2000. All five seniors started and played in the majority of the games in 1999 so setting the tone for this year's team should be clockwork.
"Two years ago we had only two seniors, while last season we had none," said Stevens. "It forced our current senior class into a leadership role very early in their career, which really sets the tone for a successful team. It's been fun to watch our five seniors grow into that role and I feel like they are going to do very well with it."
The Utes plan to bring out the big bats and utilize their speed to manufacture runs this season, with their strategy that of a high speed powerful offense.
"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."
They'll score their runs in a new conference. Utah departed the WAC after last season and will compete in the newly formed Mountain West Conference.
Team captains Sunny Smith (catcher) and Jenny Monson (centerfield) headline a lengthy list of returnees. Smith was second on the team last year, with a .311 batting average. She led the team in at bats (161), home runs (9), RBI (30) and slugging percentage (.578). Monson hit .241 and was second on the team in RBI with 29. She racked up 35 hits and was second on the team in home runs (7). Monson posted a .414 slugging percentage last season.
"Jenny Monson and Sunny Smith are going to be the backbone of our team," said Stevens. They are our captains. I think Sunny Smith is probably the best catcher in our league. Part way through the season last year, I had Sunny start calling the games, and she did a marvelous job. She does a really good job taking charge and maintaining the team's composure. You put Monson in centerfield and she becomes our quarterback out there. She's been here for four years now and she knows her role."
The only significant loss from the 1999 team is pitcher Sarah Farnworth. Farnworth was Utah's top pitcher last season, posting a 1.97 ERA in 242 innings pitched. Farnworth also led the team with a .339 batting average and was second on the team with a .548 slugging percentage. But, head coach Mona Stevens is confident that this year's pitching staff will fill the void left by Farnworth.
"I think the only thing that concerns me is our depth on the mound, though that may prove to be something that I don't need to worry about," said Stevens. "I think our offense and defense will take some pressure off of how we do on the mound."
Infield The Utah infield in the 2000 season is experienced and seasoned within Steven's system. A second place WAC Tournament finish last year showed how the defense came together. This will be the second year the Utah infield has been together, with each player redefining her role on the field.
"Our infield is also stronger because we have a year under our belt," said Stevens. "There were times last year that it was a roller coaster. Sometimes they were absolutely brilliant and other times they were tentative and just not sure. However, when we finished in the WAC Tournament last year, our infield was outstanding. We've got seasoned infielders that know each other pretty well. The nice thing for me is that we have brought in players and really haven't lost anybody from our infield."
Senior first baseman Nicole Wilkinson returns for her third year in the Utah program. Wilkinson played for LSU her freshman year before coming to the U. She is very versatile, playing shortstop as a sophomore and last season playing first base. This year, Wilkinson may be seen at first base, shortstop and even third base. Wilkinson led the team with 370 putouts in 1999 with 27 assists a .990 fielding percentage. She played in all 55 games, starting in 53.
"Gator" (Wilkinson) does a fantastic job," said Stevens. "The reason I have her play so many different positions is because I want her in the game. She hit the ball really well in the fall, but it's her leadership that you can feel out on the field. I don't worry about whether or not she's in the game, she's always in the game."
Behind Wilkinson at first base is freshman Niki Hayhurst. Hayhurst was a 1998 and 1999 all-state and all-region selection in Oregon.
"Niki is a lefty power hitter and is extremely athletic," said Stevens. "She is a gold mine for us and I'm pleased to have her on the team."
Senior Stacy O'Farrell returns as one of Utah's second basemen. She will split time at second with junior Carrie Kosderka. O'Farrell is a consistent, fundamental player who can also play many different positions. Last year, she led the team in sacrifices with 14. Defensively, she had 82 putouts and a .962 fielding percentage.
"Stacy is about as consistent as they come," said Stevens. "She's a steady player and you can bank on it that if the ball is hit in her direction, she'll stop it. She's also a spark plug for the team, she gets in there and stirs everything up."
Kosderka will back up at both second and third base. She played in 35 games last season, starting in 32.
"I don't think there are too many people on the team that love the game more than Carrie," said Stevens. "I don't know of anybody who plays with more heart, more guts, and who would give her body and soul for the game."
Sophomore Michelle Larsen will start for a second year at shortstop. As a freshman, Larsen hit .230 and started in 51 of the 55 games. She led the team with 100 assists and totaled 84 putouts.
"Michele is just a great athlete," said Stevens. "When I recruited her, I thought she was one of the best shortstops to come out of that age group, and I still believe she is. She is a very consistent line-drive hitter, and as a coach, you love to have players who can hit like that."
Lyndsey Trevis, a 5-10 sophomore, returns at third base. Last season, she was also a definite threat at the plate. She was third on the team in RBI (18) and slugging percentage (.434). She was selected to the WAC All-Tournament team in 1999. Trevis had 91 assists and a .922 fielding percentage. She was fourth on the team with a .283 batting average in 1999.
"Lyndsey has one of the surest gloves on the team," said Stevens. "Last year at the WAC tournament, we started calling her "Hoover" because she sucked up everything that came her way. She's one of the big four in terms of our power hitters. That kid can just hit the ball."
Outfield The Utah outfield is full of returners for the 2000 campaign. Speed and agility will be a strength in the outfield on defense, with a powerful, aggressive style of play offensively.
"Defensively, our outfield is extremely quick," said Stevens. "Those players can cover a lot of territory out there and have some very good arms. I look at our outfield and know that we have tremendous talent. I feel really comfortable about our outfield."
Senior Jenny Monson is back in centerfield, where she posted a .951 fielding percentage and totaled 37 putouts in 1999. She is coming off a foot injury that hampered her all last year. After surgery this past summer, Stevens is confident she'll be back in the game by the end of February.
"Jenny is a very hard worker, a very dedicated, selfless athlete. She has a great arm and a powerful bat. Jenny has a very strong will and love of the game. She is the type of athlete you want on your roster and one of our key players."
The Utes return a three-year starter in left field in Lisa Hashimoto-Hall. In 1999, Hashimoto-Hall was third on the team with a .286 batting average. She led the team in walks (15) and was second on the team in stolen bases (12). Hashimoto-Hall totaled 52 putouts and was a perfect 1.000 in the field last season. She was also a member of the WAC All-Tournament team last season.
"Lisa is one of the most aggressive outfielders we've got," said Stevens. "She'll make diving catches left and right and come up with a great throw. She's also one of our spark plugs offensively and will probably hit somewhere high in the lineup."
Sophomore Molly McLean will split time between right and center field for Utah. As a freshman, McLean led the team with 16 stolen bases. She hit .265 and started in 44 games last season.
"Molly is probably the most fiery player we have on the team," said Stevens. "Molly is lightening fast and she makes things happen on the base paths. She's extremely talented and extremely competitive and will be a major factor for us this year."
Amberly Jeppson is slated to play right field for the Utes. She was fifth on the team with a .275 batting average last season and started in 31 games.
"Amberly is very quick, she has a great arm and is an all-around solid outfielder," said Stevens.
Angie Kenney will see time in all three outfield positions this year. She was a Junior College All-American and a 1998-99 all-conference and all-region selection.
"Angie is a great addition to our outfield," said Stevens. "She is a talented, quick, true lefty hitter who can stretch a single into a double and gives you 110 percent all the time."
Pitchers and Catchers The Utah bullpen returns two pitchers and adds a newcomer this year. Junior Kristin Arbogast is slated to be the number one pitcher, while sophomore Jeanette Herbert and freshman Shannon Lewis will fill out the rotation. Arbogast pitched 130 innings last year, striking out 67. Herbert saw limited action last season, but is expected to contribute more in 2000. Lewis was an all-state selection in Utah all four years of high school.
"Kristin has developed into the kind of pitcher that wants the ball, that wants to be handed the big games," said Stevens. "It is nice as a coach to see her grow into that role and I'm expecting good things from her this season. Jeanette did a really good job for us in the fall. She seemed to be a lot more confident on the mound and she's showing a lot of promise. Shannon is a very competitive pitcher and I recruited her because of that as well as her potential. She is one of the best pitchers to come out of Utah in awhile."
Senior Sunny Smith will again call the game from behind the plate. A .969 fielder, Smith recorded 183 putouts and 54 assists. She started in 54 of the 55 games last season.
"Sunny is a significant part of our foundation and one of the leaders on the team," said Stevens. "I would say that there are five or six players on the team this year that will literally eat, sleep and breath this sport, and she is one of them. She is very determined to make this year not only a great year for herself, but also for the team."
Pat Ebert, a junior transfer, and Stephanie Johnson, a sophomore, will back up Smith at catcher.
"Pat is probably one of the strongest players on the team," said Stevens. "She's been injured all fall, so she's been very limited in what she's been able to do. I'll be very interested to see what she is capable of, coming off the injury."
"Stephanie is a walk-on from Chicago and this is her second year with us," said Stevens. "She is one of those people who bring more to the team than just her talent. She has a great attitude and is a hard working kid. A selfless player, she will do anything the team needs to get better."
New to the coaching staff this year are the two assistant coaches Sara Griffin and Jen Smith. Griffin comes to the U. after a one year as a second assistant at Arizona State University. After one year as an undergraduate assistant coach at the University of Nebraska, Jen Smith begins her first season at the U.
The Schedule The schedule will be a challenge as the Utes face some national caliber teams early on. Utah will compete in the Fiesta Bowl tournament on Feb. 11-13 in Phoenix, Ariz., where national powers Nebraska, Fresno State and Arizona State are among the many participating teams. Utah will face Cal State Fullerton, Oregon State, Wisconsin, Mississippi State and Kansas throughout the weekend. Up next, Utah travels to the UNLV Tournament on Feb. 18-20, where once again strong competition awaits. The Utes will match-up against Oregon, Oregon State, Loyola, Virginia and Notre Dame. On Feb. 25-27, Utah hosts its own tournament in St. George, Utah. The Utes will take on Southern Utah, Stanford, Tulsa, Washington and Oklahoma State. Utah will play in three more tournaments before opening play in the new Mountain West Conference. Member teams include, Brigham Young, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV and Utah. Air Force and Wyoming do not sponsor women's softball. Utah begins MWC play in San Diego, Calif., on Mar. 31 when it takes on San Diego State at 1:00 p.m. (PST).
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