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
2008 Softball Season Outlook
2/1/2008 12:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 1, 2008
The 2008 edition of the Utah softball team begins a new era under first-year head coach Amy Hogue. Hogue, who was an All-American for the Utes in 1994 and helped lead the team to the World Series, believes Utah can reach that level again.
"We are stressing the need to keep it simple," Hogue said. "This game is about the little things. The fundamentals, understanding the job at hand and getting it done. We want to take forward steps every day and set goals that may seem small, but if the goal is achieved it's a step forward."
Led by returning all-West Region selection Diana Phillips and all-Mountain West Conference player Meghan Crouse, the team returns all but two starters from last year's squad, including all of the fielding positions. However, with several players changing positions from the previous season to add depth and play to their strengths, the team will have an entirely new look.
"There are some players who are battling for a starting position right now," Hogue said. "Sometimes we will make game-day decisions on who goes in based on who's hot. We have options all the way through the lineup. We are working to figure out everyone's strengths and plan to give each player a role on this team. I firmly believe understanding your role and purpose on a team is critical to a team's success.
"We have some talented kids on this team. There are plenty of ways this group can win games. I am looking forward to learning more about what they can do."
Pitching
The pitching staff is where the team takes its biggest hit, losing both Meghan Dyer and Karina Cannon, who controlled the mound for the Utes last season. Hogue will look to sophomore transfer Ashley Smuda to help fill their role. A transfer from Temple University, Smuda made 16 starts for the Owls, earning 92 strikeouts.
"Ashley has the confidence to take this team places," Hogue said. "She wants the ball and doesn't get rattled, she just gets tougher."
Sophomore Haili Squire and freshman Brittany Parker will also be key on the mound. Parker, a four-time all-state player at Murray High, led the team to two state championships. Squire made seven appearances with 15 strikeouts last year for the Utes.
"Haili can move the ball very well and has been known to record mostly ground ball outs against the batters she faces," Hogue said. "Brittany has had a lot of success and confidence in her playing career and we are hoping this continues as she sees time on the mound as a freshman. Both are working very hard to compete for time as a starter."
Catcher
Behind the plate, Hailey Davenport aims to earn the start after batting .338 with 14 home runs and a .649 slugging percentage last year. She also played at third base last year.
However, returning starter Andrea Hoffman, who is coming back from off-season shoulder surgery and had a .990 fielding percentage last year, will also see time. Devina Quintero also has the potential to see action behind the plate.
"Hailey and Andrea will challenge each other," Hogue said. "Andrea really understands the team and will make a great coach, which is an asset to her as a catcher."
Infield
Staci Hemingway, who started at shortstop last year and was named as a team captain along with Phillips, will start at first or second for the Utes. She batted .325 and led the team with 11 doubles.
"Staci is our team mom," Hogue said. "She does everything we ask. She is willing and able to give to her teammates day in and day out."
 Staci Hemingway will rotate starting at first and second for Utah.  | |
Junior transfer Bonnie Muir has shown that she has the ability to make an impact at second base. At Salt Lake Community College, Muir was a first-team all-conference selection, batting .363 with a .549 on-base percentage. Kristie Keller, who started at second last season, may also be seen in a reserve role.
At third base, former all-conference selection Quintero returns to the team. She is a three-year starter at the position. In 2006, she was third on the squad with a .299 batting average, a team-best 13 doubles and 55 hits. Newcomer Angie Boardman, an All-American transfer from North Idaho College who led her team to a second-place finish nationally last year, will also compete for time.
"It's great to have depth," Hogue said. "Both Devina and Angie will challenge each other. Both bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm and that is crucial to the team."
Former starter Sharee Fonoti also returns to the team. As a two-year starter, Fonoti hit .232 in 2006 and had six stolen bases. As a freshman she was the only Ute to start in all 50 games. Freshman Laura Dahlberg will also add depth in the middle. She was a first-team all-state player, leading Cactus High School (Ariz.) to two state championships.
"Sharee is a gamer," Hogue said. "She is a relentless competitor. You couldn't ask for a better newcomer in Laura. She's a top-notch student and her work ethic translates to the field."
Outfield
Phillips leads a deep outfield for the Utes, finishing second in the conference last season with a .398 batting average. She tallied 64 hits with eight stolen bases on the year.
"Diana can flat-out play," Hogue said. "She hits well, runs well, and can track down a ball in the gap and throw just about anybody out from the grass."
Crouse and Kelly Matthews also return. Crouse hit .343 on the year, with a team-best nine stolen bases and eight doubles. Matthews batted .219 and had 30 hits.
 Meghan Crouse is a returning all-MWC selection. | |
"Each outfielder has different strengths and we will use each one depending on what the game plan is," Hogue said. "They will all compete for time."
Schedule
The 2008 schedule includes several teams that begin the season in the top-25 and two squads that reached the Women's College World Series in 2007.
The Utes will play six tournaments to start the regular season. Utah opens the year with the Red Desert Classic in St. George on Feb. 28 against the Big Ten's Wisconsin. The Utes will also take on Rhode Island, Southern Utah, Idaho State and Northern Colorado during the tournament.
Utah moves on to the Kajikawa Classic, Feb. 15-17 at Arizona State, a tournament which typically features some of the top teams in the nation. The Utes will face Notre Dame, Texas State, Texas Tech, Western Michigan and No. 18 Oregon State. Utah travels to Austin, Texas, for the Texas Classic, Feb. 29 - March 2. Utah, Wisconsin, No. 22 Texas and Wichita State play for a title throughout the weekend.
No. 3 Arizona State hosts the Diamond Devil Invitational, March 7-9, where Utah will also play UC Davis, San Diego and Pacific. At the San Diego Classic at San Diego State, March 14-16, No. 2 Texas A&M and No. 21 Cal State Fullerton provide the Utes with two of their biggest challenges during the season.
The Judi Garman Classic at Cal State Fullerton rounds out the tournament schedule, March 20-23. Utah will go head-to-head with No. 10 DePaul and No. 11 Washington at the tournament.
"Our preseason schedule is very competitive. Every tournament we play in has a top-25 team there," Hogue said. "It will be a good warm up for the Mountain West schedule and help us play to our potential. I am looking forward to getting out on the field."
The Utes take on several in-state rivals before the conference season begins, including Southern Utah, Utah State and Utah Valley State. Colorado State kicks off the Mountain West campaign with a doubleheader on April 3. Utah will play each team in the MWC (Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV and BYU) four times during the season before the NCAA Softball Championship begins on May 16.
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/ SoftballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Softball Coach Amy Hogue
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Tuesday, May 12
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