Completed Event: Softball versus No. 2 Seed Oklahoma State on May 7, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 7
Final Score
Softball
0
vs No. 2 Seed Oklahoma State
7
The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Softball Outlook
1/4/2002 12:00 AM | Softball
As the 2002 softball season unfolds, fans will see why the Utah program has continued a great tradition as a national contender throughout the years. Over the past 25 years, the Utes have recorded thirteen 30-win seasons, five 40-win seasons, one 50-win season, nine first-place finishes in conference play, six conference tournament championships, five first-place regional tournament championships and five trips to the college world series.
"Softball has changed a lot over the years with the expansion of new teams and the higher level of play," says head coach Mona Stevens. "It is much harder to make it to post-season play than in years past, but to the credit of everyone that is involved in this program, from past coaches to current players, this team has been able to maintain a national status. We want to continue this tradition, we expect it."
Utah will be loaded with depth and leadership this season. The Utes return seven starters, nine letterwinners and add nine newcomers to the 2002 roster. Utah finished its 2001 season with a 37-25-1 overall record, and took home second-place honors (10-6-1) in the Mountain West Conference. The Utes just missed a trip to the NCAA tournament in 2001, but are hungry for a taste of it again in 2002.
"We have good talent and much more depth than we have had in the past," says Stevens. "Our three captains (Lyndsey Trevis, Molly McLean and Michele Larsen) have taken on an air about themselves that is contagious. They are stepping up as leaders and making sure the work gets taken care of. They also have the determination and drive to succeed. The intangibles that they bring to this team will help us achieve great things this season."
"There is a lot of work involved in being a leader and it is all selfless," says Stevens. "Our seniors are tremendous leaders for us. The confidence they have, has allowed them to open up their views to the rest of the team and help become influential leaders. If you have a group of people like that, it is a very potent recipe for success."
A major strength that the Utes will capitalize on in 2002 will be their explosive power at the plate. Utah has the potential to score a lot of runs this season from virtually every spot in the line up. The Utes return four of the Mountain West Conference's top offensive category leaders (McLean, Trevis, Niki Hayhurst and Melissa Stahnke). All four were among the top 10 category leaders in the conference, with Stahnke and Trevis among the national leaders.
"We will be extremely powerful offensively in the first six spots in the line up," says Stevens. "What we've seen from our newcomers who will fill the seven, eight and nine spots is promising. I don't think we will have any weak spots in our offensive lineup, which is nice for our battery and our defense to know that we are going to hit the ball and score runs."
Stevens' philosophy is easy, work hard, compete hard and strive to be the best you can be. "I like to compete at a certain level," says Stevens. "I want to be the leader in our conference and I want to compete nationally in the top 25. I am shooting to keep us towards the top and I am always looking for people who can keep us there. I don't care where our athletes come from, but when they put on their Utah red, I want the pride of their work ethic and the joy of being with their teammates to exceed everything else. When people come to watch University of Utah softball, I want them to see the excitement, the talent and the love of the game that our athletes take with them." -Mona Stevens
INFIELD
Utah goes at least two-deep in virtually every position this season. The infield is an experienced group that has played together for a few years now. Returning to the infield are starters Trevis, Larsen, Hayhurst and Stahnke. Newcomer Kelsie Lewis will round-out the infield for the Utes in 2002.
Trevis, the 2001 MWC Player of the Year, an all-West region, all-MWC and MWC Tournament selection will anchor the infield this season.
"I believe Lyndsey is one of the best players in the country," says Stevens. "Sometimes she comes up with a play and my jaw drops, then I think, now that's a ball player. She is a complete package and has had the eye of everyone in the conference for a few years now, winning awards since her freshman season."
Larsen filled the void at second base last season. She is versatile and could see action throughout the infield in 2002.
"Michele's determination is going to be a big part of the reason why this team does so well," says Stevens. "Not only is she a talented ball player, but she has a great vision of what this team can do. Whatever her role evolves into, she will be a major player for us."
Hayhurst, a 2001 all-West region and all-MWC selection, is expected to give Utah another top-notch performance this season.
"I don't know if you can find anyone more intense who works hard and excels more than Niki Hayhurst," says Stevens. "She puts in so much extra time outside of practice to make sure she is both offensively and defensively solid. We can expect great things again from Niki this season." Stahnke set the Utah single-season home run and RBI record last year as a freshman. Stevens expects much of the same from her in 2002.
"Melissa feels more comfortable in her position this year," says Stevens. "She has become a solid player this season and when the ball gets in her hands, we have confidence in her. The atmosphere on that side of the field is great. They are working together very well and I think we will be very strong both offensively and defensively."
"Kelsie Lewis is a spunky freshman with a lot of talent," says Stevens. "She has brought us some excitement and energy in the infield and she has shown that she can play at this level.
OUTFIELD
The Utes return two starting outfielders this season in senior Molly McLean and sophomore Masie Ota. Senior Angie Kenney saw time in left field last season and will vie for time in either left or right field again in 2002. Newcomers Tiffany Randall, Traci Keller and Texie Criddle will add extra depth, but should also see time in the outfield.
"Molly is our experience and our foundation, she will be our quarterback in the outfield," says Stevens. "She is a real competitor for us and is well respected by her teammates. She is definitely one of the best outfielders I've coached."
"Tiffany Randall is a really good hitter coming out of Salt Lake CC," says Stevens. "She played very well for them and is making the transition to Division I ball. I am excited to see what she will do this season."
"Traci Keller is very solid defensively and her instincts to the ball are great," says Stevens. "She played well in the fall and might have earned herself a starting spot in the line up."
"Angie Kenney has a lot of experience and speed in the outfield," says Stevens. "She will see time in either left or right field. She had shoulder surgery this fall and will need time to work herself back into a position."
"Texie Criddle is extremely fast and has some great natural instincts for this game," says Stevens. "She is very athletic. I'm excited about her career here. If she does what I think she can, she could eventually become a big contributor for us."
"You always know when Masie Ota is in the ball game because you can hear her," says Stevens. "She's quick, she knows right field and plays that position very well. She has improved on her slapping skills with more consistency and I know Masie will see some game time."
"We have a good variety of players that will compete for positions," says Stevens. "They have good speed and good arms out there as well. We have work to do because we have a lot of newcomers, but they all get along great, work very hard and are committed to having a tight outfield."
BATTERY
The battery has talent and experience this season. Utah returns sophomore Heather Bowlin and adds Mississippi State transfer stand-out Jen Pursell. Freshman Natalie Tyler will also see time on the mound this season. Senior Christa Pfeninger returns behind the plate. She will bring leadership and skill onto the field this season. Byranne Durance steps in as a freshman, looking to vie for time at the catcher position.
"It is such a great feeling to have a catcher with experience and who knows the game," says Stevens. "Christa not only knows our pitchers well, she knows how each of them throw the different pitches. This helps out tremendously with her being able to see how the pitchers are throwing and to make adjustments on the fly. She has a great head for the game and I feel very comfortable with her behind the plate."
"We are very excited about having the opportunity to coach Bryanne Durrance," says Stevens. "She is extremely athletic and has the ability to absorb information very well. She is very astute and driven. I think she will have a very good career here at Utah."
"I'm exctied about the pitching staff this season because we have some depth," says Stevens. "The pitching staff is working hard and are determined to be a strong link in the chain this season. Heather Bowlin is back, she has turned a corner in her pitching and that is something we are very excited about. Heather is a very hard worker and she had just a taste of what she is capable of last season. She had some success this fall and is very determined to be a big time contributor this season."
"Jen Pursell was a surprise gift," says Stevens. "We got Jen very late in the year and she is an extremely talented pitcher. She can pick a batter apart and has so many tools to do it with. She has a great mentality and doesn't get intimidated by any batter she faces. She sees it more like a challenge, she loves the challenge and she steps up to it."
"Natalie Tyler is a very young, very powerful pitcher," says Stevens. "She has some fine tuning to do, making the transition to Division I ball and we have been working on that. She is one of those athletes that you look at and think, she's got so much potential and it is going to be fun to watch her develop."
THE SCHEDULE
Despite handing her team one of the toughest schedules around, coach Stevens spends little time worrying about how her 2002 team will fare against the nation's best.
"Our season begins like spring training," says Stevens. "We will travel to Texas in February when we are out of school because of the Olympics. We will play a lot of good schools in the tournaments down there and instead of throwing ourselves into the biggest tournament we could find, we are going to work our way into it. With all the teams in these tournaments, we are looking at a very tough schedule. We are playing about 10-15 teams from the top 25 in our pre-season tournaments alone."
Utah will face 11 teams this season that made it to the NCAA Tournament last year, including the 2001 National Champions, Arizona. The Utes could possibly face 15 more teams in their upcoming tournaments this season that made it to post-season play in 2001. Right out of the gate, Utah will head to Texas, opening the season with a double-header against Houston on Feb. 6. Then the Utes will participate in the Texas-Arlington Tournament on Feb. 8-10, and the Texas A&M Tourney on Feb. 15-17. Utah will meet Southwest Texas in a double-header on Feb. 19, before heading to Georgia to participate in the Lead-Off Classic, one of softball's most prestigious tournaments, on Feb. 22-24. The Lead-Off Classic brings in the top competition from around the country, with most teams ranked in the top 25. Utah will host its own tournament on Mar. 1-3, bringing in national powers Oregon, Washington and Stanford, to name a few. On Mar. 9-10 the Utes will host the 2001 National Champion Arizona Wildcats at Ute Field for their first home game of the season. Utah will wrap-up tournament action at the Kia Classic on Mar. 14-17, before opening up Mountain West Conference play at San Diego State and UNLV on Mar. 29 and Mar. 30. The Utes will host a few non-conference double-headers throughout the conference schedule, meeting Pacific, Cal State Northridge, Utah State and Southern Utah. The MWC Tournament will be held on May 9-11, in Provo, Utah.
Players Mentioned
OF
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