Upcoming Event: Softball versus No. 1 Texas Tech on April 10, 2026 at 5 p.m.
5 p.m.
Softball
vs No. 1 Texas Tech
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
2010 Utah Softball Preview: Infield
2/1/2010 12:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 1, 2010
2010 Utah Softball Media Guide
Utah Athletics on Facebook
Follow Utah Athletics on Twitter!
With the first pitch of the 2010 Utah softball campaign 12 days away, utahutes.com preps fans for the beginning of the season with a breakdown of the Ute roster as well as a look at the upcoming schedule. This is the first in a five-part series about the student-athletes Utah has at each position heading into the season as well as the competition they will face.
Monday, Feb. 1: Infield
Tuesday, Feb. 2: Outfield
Wednesday, Feb. 3: Catchers
Thursday, Feb. 4: Pitchers
Friday, Feb. 5: Schedule
Utes Will Feature Youthful Infield in 2010:
After losing starting first baseman Staci Hemingway and shortstop Sharee Fonoti to graduation after the 2009 season, the Utes face the possibility of having four freshmen and sophomores start in their infield in 2010.
"While we didn't lose any pitchers, we have some good infielders coming in behind them who are groomed to step right in," Utah's third-year head coach Amy Hogue said. "But we're going to continue to be extremely young in the infield."
Sophomore Whitney Holm had an impressive freshman season, starting all 53 games at third base and hit .287 with 10 home runs while driving in 28 runs.
"[Holm] stepped back in this fall and really didn't skip a beat," Hogue said. "She has gotten stronger and extremely faster and has become more of a voice on the team. She's stepping up as a leader because she's a veteran in the infield now and has done well with that role."
Sophomore Tia Palauni has been designated as the second baseman in the Utah lineup.
"[Palauni] doesn't do anything big and flashy, but she's very steady," Hogue said. "She finds ways to get on base. If you don't throw her a strike, she'll draw s walk because she won't swing at bad pitches."
Freshman Kelsi Hoopiiaina has wasted no time since she stepped on campus, earning the starting shortstop role.
"[Hoopiiaina's] natural skills as an athlete really fit well in the shortstop spot," Hogue said. "Until we got her on campus, we didn't know that. She is very aggressive by nature and gets rid of the ball really quickly. She wants the ball to come to her and she has really learned to play the position well."
The starting spot at first base remains open for the Utes.
"There's a fight between senior Lindsey Palmer and Alyssa Garcia," Hogue said.
"Lindsey is doing really well," Hogue said. "Her back wasn't allowing her to continue to pitch. She is an amazing voice for this team and has been an amazing team leader. She's the type of kid you want on the field because she gives to her team and will be valuable to everyone around her. She will elevate the play of everyone else on the team."
"Alyssa has a tremendous amount of pure athleticism," Hogue said. "So she will be in the running to earn playing time."
Infield Player Notes:
Whitney Holm
So. ? IF ? R/R ? 5-8 ? Spanish Fork, Utah ? Spanish Fork H.S.
Veteran of the infield ... started all 53 games at third base as a freshman ... improved strength and speed during offseason.
Tia Palauni
So. ? IF ? R/R ? 5-9 ? Taylorsville, Utah ? Taylorsville H.S.
Expected to start at second base in 2010 ... started 26 of last 32 games last season, her first with the Utes ... has great size, speed and strength ... versatile athlete.
Kelsi Hoopiiaina
Fr. ? IF ? R/R ? 5-8 ? Riverton, Utah ? Riverton H.S.
Tabbed the starting shortstop during fall practice ... can help in several different areas with her pure athleticism ... can play anywhere on the field ... out-works everyone around her, which is how she became the athlete she is today.
Lindsey Palmer
Sr. ? UTIL ? R/R ? 5-6 ? Stansbury Park, Utah ? S.L.C.C.
Will play either first base or outfield in second season at Utah ... brings the kind of leadership expected from a senior ... back pain would not allow her to continue pitching.
Alyssa Garcia
Fr. ? C/1B ? R/R ? 5-6 ? Houston, Texas ? MacArthur H.S.
Talented player with a very lively arm who will primarily be a catcher ... will also work at first base ... has an extraordinary amount of raw talent ... a good fit for Utah in a number of ways: a talented athlete and a great student who aspires to be a doctor.
Players Mentioned
SS
/ Softball
C/1B
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
UTIL
/ Softball
P/OF
/ SoftballUtah Softball's Hailee White Feature
Tuesday, April 15
Utah Softball's Jolie Mayfield Feature
Friday, March 28
Utah Softball - The Inaugural 1976 Team
Wednesday, March 19
University of Utah Athletics - A Storied History
Friday, August 02