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
2007 Utah Softball Outlook
1/31/2007 12:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 31, 2007
There are some programs that would settle for the success that the University of Utah softball team enjoyed last year. But, the 2007 Utes are still looking to raise the bar.
"Our goal is to pick up where we left off from last year and to build from there," said head coach Angie Jacobs. "Being Mountain West Conference champions and just missing the super regionals, this team knows how to win. We have the tools."
The team recorded only its sixth 40-win season (40-21) on record and it surged through the postseason last year, winning the MWC Tournament title and cruising to the NCAA Regional final where it finally lost to No. 3-ranked Texas. The Utes led the MWC for most of the season before settling for third, going 10-8 in league play.
 Karina Cannon  | |
So, the team returns one of the key ingredients for success.
"I see a lot of experience on this team ... a lot of experience against some of the top teams in the nation," Jacobs notes as one of the team's strengths. "I also see a lot of confidence in this team and a desire for it be better than last year."
While the program returns a bevy of experience, first-year head coach Angie Jacobs only adds to the teams wealth in that department. Hired on June 5, 2006, the first-year head coach adds eight years of head-coaching experience to the fray.
With softball acumen in place, Jacobs highlights the team's unity as an immediate need. And, that was an issue that was addressed during the fall season.
"Our immediate goal is to get to know the people better," said Jacobs. "We need to know our strengths and weaknesses in order to become more competitive. We worked hard last fall to learn our strengths and weaknesses and on getting to know each other."
Team unity and familiarity are key for the team. Managing its strengths and weaknesses leads to better game management and to more success down the road.
"The intermediate goal is to work the process," commented Jacobs. "We have to work hard every day, show up and accomplish what needs to be done that day. It's a long season and we have to manage the obstacles that come our way.
"And, if that happens, I see no reason why this team can't get to the regionals, super regionals and ultimately, win in the world series." When all the pieces are in the place, the Utes will then take the field with a new perspective on the sport.
"We're trying to get the team to think outside of the box so we can always be prepared," Jacobs said. "We don't want to see any huge surprises."
The Battery
The Ute pitching staff features three hurlers, two of which were starting pitchers in 2006.
Headlining the circle are returning pitchers Cannon and Dyer. Freshman Haili Squire rounds out the rest of the staff.
"We return Meghan and Karina who have incredible abilities and are very competitive," said Jacobs. "They bring a lot of experience and knowledge and we are going to build on that.
"We look for those two to carry us through the season. We expect 15 to 20 wins from each of them this season."
Cannon, named all-conference and MWC Tournament MVP in 2006, was Utah's 20-win pitcher last season, notching a 20-8 record and a 2.11 earned-run average. Among her 20 wins was the 5-4 win in the MWC Championship and a 3-2, eight-inning victory over No. 8-ranked Michigan. Cannon gave up only 38 extra-base hits a year ago, holding rival batters to just .239 hitting.
 Meghan Dyer | |
Joining the mix is first team all-state pitcher Squire, who has the luxury of time to adapt to the college game.
"Haili is adapting to the college game very well," commented Jacobs. "She is in a great position to learn the game and will gain some valuable experience this season."
Managing the pitchers from behind the plate will be sophomores Andrea Hoffman and Hailey Davenport.
Hoffman appeared in 55 of the 61 games her freshman year, starting in 53. Hoffman hit .221 last year but Jacobs is quick to point out that Hoffman should step up her contribution this season.
"The biggest surprise in terms of improvement was Andrea," said Jacobs. "I've never seen that much improvement in an athlete but that's a credit to her desire to improve and her work ethic."
Davenport saw action in only 22 games as a freshman but should figure into the mix more prominently in 2007.
"Hailey improved tremendously," said Jacobs. "She has a good bat and will help the team's offensive production."
The Infield
The infield will feature three new faces, with returning starter and sophomore Staci Hemingway anchoring the diamond from shortstop.
Hemingway, who played most of her 59 games at first base last year, moves to the middle infield. While it has been two years since she played there, that is where she played in high school, garnering first team all-state accolades as a senior.
Last year, Hemingway hit .263 with eight extra-base hits. But, she turned it on at the end of the year, hitting a team-best .368 in the post season with six RBI and a .579 slugging percentage.
"Staci is basically going home to a position that she knows very well," said Jacobs of the move. "She will be very successful at shortstop. She is a team leader and that's a good place for her to direct the defense."
Junior college transfer Kristie Keller and freshman Tori Medina will man second and third base, respectively.
Keller was a two-time all-conference second baseman at Central Arizona College, hitting .341 last year with 52 RBI.
"Kristie is a clutch hitter that tallied 52 RBI in junior college last year," said Jacobs. "Not only will she help on offense but we are going to rely on her to take care of the right side of the field for us."
Medina was an all-state infielder for Taylorsville HS last year and will secure third for the Utes this season.
"Tori improved a lot this last fall," said Jacobs. "She has a desire to learn and gets better every day because of it. She just needs to gain some experience at the college level."
Davenport will see a lot of time at first base, in addition to backing up Hoffman at catcher. Cannon could also see time at first while junior walk on Brandie Allen will contend for time there and add depth to the position.
The Outfield
Two-time all-conference center fielder Phillips returns to lead the outfielders this season.
Phillips is a two-year starter and is also the team's top returning offensive threat. Last year, the lefty-slapper hit .350 with five triples. Her 69 hits were second on the team.
Flanking Phillips in the outfield will be junior Meghan Crouse and freshman Kara Foster.
Crouse, who started all 61 games in left field, is on the heels of a breakout sophomore season. Last year, she hit .280 as the No. 9 hitter in the batting order.
Foster is an intelligent softball player that adds speed to the lineup. She wrapped up her high school career with all-state and league MVP honors after hitting .500 last year.
"Kara is a great addition to the outfield," remarks Jacobs. "She has great summer ball experience and is a fast and smart athlete."
Contending for time and adding depth to the outfield will be juniors Kelly Matthews and Jacqueline Decker.
The Schedule
The 2007 schedule won't be short on challenges as it features 10 teams that made it to the NCAA Tournament last season. Of those 10 teams, six finished the season ranked in the top 25, including No. 5-ranked Texas.
The season begins at the KAJIKAWA Classic in Tempe, Ariz. There Utah will face perennial powers Stanford (Feb. 9), Texas A&M (Feb. 10) and Texas (Feb. 11).
Also highlighting the schedule this year are Auburn (March 2), South Florida (March 3), Washington (March 20) and Cal State Fullerton (March 21).
"It's a tough schedule but it's going to be competitive for us," notes Jacobs. "As young as we are, it's going to be a challenge for us."
The conference season begins on April 5 with a doubleheader at UNLV and continues on April 6-7 with a pair of single games at San Diego State.
Rivalry weekend launches the Utes' home schedule as the home opener is against Brigham Young on March 27-28.
"Our conference is going to be tough," remarks Jacobs. "But, I'm confident that we will be successful in the Mountain West this year."
This year will be different than past years as the regular season champion will win the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Last season marked the end of the MWC Tournament.
Players Mentioned
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