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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Softball Outlook
1/19/2001 12:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 19, 2001
As the University of Utah softball team embarks on the 2001 season, Head Coach Mona Stevens will tackle the task of bringing the program to the next level. After clinching the 2000 inaugural Mountain West Conference regular-season title and tournament championship, a NCAA Sweet Sixteen finish and many individual and team accomplishments, the Utes are confident that the 2001 season will continue the trend.
"Our expectations are high and we've got some things we want to accomplish besides winning the conference tournament," says Stevens. "Making the NCAAs and placing in the top 16 gives us just a taste of where we want to be. We want to go further, that's what we're shooting for, and we'll work very hard to get there. I think this team has the capability and the talent, along with the intensity of knowing what they want and going out on the field and making it happen."
Last season, the Utes notched a 42-23 overall record and a 15-5 conference mark. This season, Utah returns six starters, nine letterwinners and adds seven newcomers to its roster. Losing five starters to graduation may seem troubling, but Stevens is confident that the solid core of returners and newcomers will be able to fill the void.
"When we hit the field this spring, our team may look different, but our style, attitude and work ethic will be familiar," says Stevens. "It's just going to take time for things to gel. It's not so much a weakness as it is an adjustment. We graduated a lot of home runs last year in Jenny Monson and Sunny Smith. Nicole Wilkinson hit a few boards last year, Lisa Hashimoto-Hall was our lead-off batter with a tremendous amount of speed, and Stacy O'Farrell was a solid defensive leader for us. You remove those kids and somehow those shoes have to be filled. At the same time, we're returning Lyndsey Trevis and Niki Hayhurst, and both can hit the long ball. Molly McLean has the ability to become one of the best players in the country because of her speed and her plate performance, whether she drops a bunt or hits. Kristin Arbogast was our leading pitcher and had a remarkable season last year. She will definitely be counted on to help lead this team because she's one of our returners that knows how to win and expects to win. We won't look back at what we were, and, although last season was wonderful, where we are going is not where we were."
Utah is going for another Mountain West Conference title as well as establishing itself as a legitimate contender in the NCAA Tournament and College World Series. In order to reach these goals, team leaders must step up to the challenge. Stevens is confident that the leadership role will be filled by team captains Carrie Kosderka, Kristen Arbogast and Amberly Jeppson.
"Our leadership is wonderful," says Stevens. "One of their goals for the year is that they want to 'drive the bus,' in other words, I'll get in the bus, I'll give them a map and show them the directions, but they want to be the ones to discipline themselves and drive themselves to become a stronger unit and not so dependant on me. They want to do that, and I think that's one of the reasons they're working so hard. That is definitely one of the reasons our captains are stepping forward as leaders."
INFIELD
The 2001 Utah infield will be a mix of veteran players and newcomers. It may look different, but the 2001 Utah infield will continue its standards of top-notch defense within Stevens' system.
Junior third baseman Lyndsey Trevis will anchor the infield after a stellar 2000 season. Trevis claimed first team All-West Region honors at third base and was selected to the 2000 NCAA Region I all-tournament team. She was a 2000 all-MWC tournament selection and was named the MWC Player of the Week last March.
"When Lindsey shows up to the ball park to play, she's one of the best," says Stevens. "It is very hard to get anything by her, she plays a great third base. I feel really confident with anything that is hit at her and I figure if she doesn't get a glove on it than nobody could. With all the awards and recognition she's received, it is pretty obvious what she gets done at third base."
As the understudy to Nicole Wilkinson last season, sophomore Niki Hayhurst will take over at first base. Hayhurst had a phenomenal freshman season as the back-up at first base and the designated player. She was a second-team all-West Region pick as the designated player, a 2000 NCAA Region I all-tournament team selection, a first team all-MWC and tournament pick and was named the 2000 MWC Freshman of the Year.
"Niki's passion, work ethic and internal drive are incredible," says Stevens. "She is one of the most dedicated, committed athletes when it comes to working hard and wanting this whole team to do well. Her attitude fires up her teammates and pushes them to do better and work harder. It is very contagious."
Freshman standout Melissa Stahnke will move into the starting role at shortstop. Stahnke was a 1999 and 2000 Southwest Washington League Player of the Year and team MVP all four years.
"We moved Melissa to shortstop and she has done a very nice job for us," says Stevens. "She's got such a strong arm and a great attitude. We put her in and told her to step right up to Division I play. She'll take a thumping and turn away just for a minute to gather herself, and she's back at 100 percent. She is a team player and should be fun to watch."
Checking in at both shortstop and second base is veteran Michele Larsen. Larsen started at shortstop last season and filled the void at second base this past fall. She is versatile and should see significant time at both positions.
"It was a challenge for Michele this fall to step into a new position and learn the opposite side of the field. It is very different, and Michele did a really good job of filling that role for us. Michele is a fluid player and will see time at both short stop and second base. I'm feeling very comfortable with our middle infield at this point."
TC Jones, a junior college transfer, will round out the infield at second base. Jones is a straight up defensive threat with good skills and technique.
"TC is a tremendous defensive second baseman," says Stevens. "Nobody will work harder and she will add a lot of chemistry to the team, as well as defensively for our whole infield."
Junior second baseman Carrie Kosderka will redshirt this season after being hampered with a back injury that forced two surgeries in the past two years.
"Nobody feels stronger about the game than Carrie," says Stevens. "If anyone on the team needs someone to talk to, or a hug because they're having a bad day, they go to Carrie. She's one of the most genuine and consistent people on the team. Even though she won't be playing for us this season, her presence is huge."
OUTFIELD
Utah's outfield in 2001 is made up of three seasoned returners and two newcomers. Utah's defense in the outfield has been known for its speed and agility, with the 2001 season being no different. The offense will keep opponents guessing as the Ute outfielders combine a powerful bat along with slapping, drag bunting and speed in the mix.
Senior captain Amberly Jeppson will return to the outfield. Last year, Jeppson was a part-time starter sharing time between left and right field. She is quick to the ball and will take on the starting role in left field this season.
"The worst thing could happen to Amberly and she'll just come back fighting," says Stevens. " When she's at bat with runners in scoring position and she's deep in the count with a couple of strikes, she will battle to the end to get it done. She's one of the hardest working people on the team and she does a great job."
Junior Molly McLean will quarterback the outfield in 2001. McLean, a two year starter, will make the move from right field to centerfield this season. She was a 2000 NCAA Region I all-tournament team selection, a first team all-MWC pick and was named the MWC Player of the Week twice last year.
"Molly is such a potent athlete," said Stevens. "She's a great athlete and I see some good recognition coming her way because she is working her tail off. There is never a moment in a workout when that kid slacks off. She'll be our lead-off batter and I see a tremendous year ahead for her."
Freshman Masie Ota will see time in right field for Utah this season. Ota, a Stockton, Calif., native was an all-league, all-district and all-area selection in 2000. She is an extremely quick and experienced slapper, and Stevens expects Ota to become a threat offensively to opponents.
"Masie is a very talented, very quick, experienced right fielder," says Stevens. "We'll look forward to seeing what she can do this year and I don't think she's afraid of much. She'll be tearing it up once she gets in there and gets her confidence level up."
Junior Angie Kenney will play back-up to all three outfield positions, possibly starting in right field this season. Kenney appeared in 37 games, including 18 starts.
"Angie brings us speed and she can drive the ball hard," says Stevens. "She just needed a little time to get comfortable and to understand everything that she is capable of. She needs to relax and play. I don't think anyone has seen what Angie Kenney is really capable of yet."
Becky Culligan will round out the outfield, but is also listed as a utility player and may be seen in other positions on the field. A junior college transfer, Culligan was a 2000 NJCAA all-conference selection. Her versatility and athleticism should prove valuable for the Utes in 2001.
"Becky Culligan is a tremendous athlete," says Stevens. "Becky has a really strong arm and we will most likely use her in the outfield. She can play multiple positions and that will make us better. I'll expect many good things from her."
BATTERIES
After last year's test of strength and endurance, the Utah battery expected some help. Utah loses All-American Sunny Smith at catcher, but gains three top-notch catchers in Christa Pfeninger, Sidney Lewis and Pat Ebert. Iron Ute and captain, Kristin Arbogast returns to hurl yet another year, and freshman Heather Bowlin is expected to split time on the mound.
Arbogast virtually re-wrote the record books last year and should prove to be one of the team's leaders again this season. She had a phenomenal season as the Utes' leading pitcher a year ago. She was a second team all-West Region pick as a pitcher, a 2000 NCAA Region I all-tournament team selection, a first team all-MWC and tournament pick, as well as the MWC Tournament MVP. Arbogast was named the 2000 MWC Player of the Year and was a two time MWC Player of the Week. Stevens can only expect the best and Arbogast should produce.
"It is easy to understand why we would call her the rock of the team," says Stevens. "When she is determined on the mound, there is no way a batter is going to beat her without having to go through her to do it. I think she is going to have a tremendous year because of her experience and confidence in throwing the ball. She did it for us last year and I think Kristin will be another major contributor this year."
Bowlin will split time with Arbogast on the mound. The freshman was a four year all-conference selection and an all-district and all-area pick from 1997-99. She is expected to gain knowledge and experience as Arbogast's apprentice and Stevens looks for continued improvement from Bowlin.
"I am really excited about Heather's potential," says Stevens. " I knew she would do well in the fall, but I didn't know she'd do as well as she did right out of the shoot. She is very hard to rattle and has a solid calming influence. I've also been very pleased with how well she can hit. I think she's got a bright future ahead of her."
Junior Christa Pfeninger is slated to start behind the plate. Pfeninger played ball at Oklahoma as a freshman, and after an injury, she transferred to Phoenix Community College. At Phoenix Community College, she was selected as a division II first-team All-American and a Division I second-team All-American. Now at Utah, Pfeninger will be expected to fill the shoes of Sunny Smith, not an easy task. Stevens is confident that Pfeninger will move into this role in her own way, at her own pace.
"Christa knows Division I ball and you can tell by the way she is slowly working her way in with the pitchers and connecting well with them," says Stevens. "She will bring us solid defense and a good mind behind the plate. I will most likely let her call the games behind the plate because she does a very good job of it. I think she is filling some shoes that we were a little bit worried about having to fill, and she is doing a tremendous job."
Freshman Sidney Lewis and senior Pat Ebert will round out the catcher position. Lewis will make the transition from high school to college ball and Ebert will fill in if necessary.
"Sidney is very bright, both on and off the field," says Stevens. "She comes in as a junior academically because she's been able to test out of everything. That goes to show how quickly she can pick things up. I look forward to working with her because she is so coachable, is a great athlete and has a lot of physical talent."
THE SCHEDULE
Right from the beginning, Utah will play a tough schedule.
"The schedule is very tough again this year, and we felt that it helped us a lot towards the end of last year," says Stevens. "We'll face everyone in the Pac-10 except UCLA and we'll face a lot of Big 12 schools. We are playing about as strong of a schedule as I can arrange. We'll be challenged this year because we're on the road so much, but once you get on the road, you stay on the road and get used to it."
The Utes will play in six tournaments before setting foot on Ute Field, matching up with national powerhouses Washington, Arizona State, Oregon State, Oregon, Stanford and Mississippi State. They will face 10 teams ranked in the final USA Today/NFCA Top 25 with the possibility of facing other ranked teams in bracket play. Utah will participate in the Arizona State Fiesta Bowl Tournament, the UNLV Tournament, the Santa Barbara Tournament, the Southern Florida Speedline Tournament, the Florida State Tournament and will host the Red Desert Classic in St. George, Utah, in early March. The Utes will face another national powerhouse team, the Arizona Wildcats, in Tucson, Ariz. Just before opening MWC play. Utah begins Mountain West Conference play at New Mexico on March 30. The MWC Tournament will be held in Albuquerque, N.M., at Lobo field on May 10-12.
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