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 Preview I: Infielders
2/4/2014 12:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 4, 2014
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With the first pitch of the 2014 Utah softball campaign three days away, utahutes.com will prepare fans for the Utes' third Pac-12 Conference season with a breakdown of the roster.
This is the first in a three-part series about the student-athletes Utah has at each position heading into the season.
2014 Utah Softball Preview
Tuesday, Feb. 4: Infield
Wednesday, Feb. 5: Outfield
Thursday, Feb. 6: Pitchers and Catchers
Out with the old. In with the new. Six newcomers join the University of Utah softball team for the 2014 season to take over for four accomplished student-athletes who ran out of eligibility after the 2013 campaign: shortstop Kelsi Hoopiiaina, second baseman Jackie Sweet, first baseman Katelyn Elliott and catcher Shay Shaum.
"This will be our third year in the Pac-12 and only our second year in our new stadium," seventh-year head coach Amy Hogue said. "All of our Pac-12 opponents who we'll face at home this year haven't been to our new stadium (Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford and California). We had success last year at home beating every Pac-12 team that traveled here. We're excited to host the other four Pac-12 teams who haven't been to our new facility."
Nine Utah softball home games, 11 overall, will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks, beginning Mar. 20 against BYU. League games against Oregon State (Apr. 4-6), Stanford (Apr. 17-18) and California (May 1-3) will be aired live from Salt Lake City. A pair of Utah's games at Arizona State (Apr. 10-11) will also be televised.
"This will also be our first year hosting games on the Pac-12 Networks and we are excited to showcase our new home," Hogue said. "We are hoping our new facility, and another successful home conference season, will help with new recruiting opportunities. Visibility for our program is critical for recruiting."
Utah held a 6-6 mark in league home games last season thanks to series victories over No. 15 UCLA and No. 2 Arizona State in Utah Softball Stadium.
"Last year's home record in the Pac-12 was certainly an improvement," Hogue said. "We hope to make another jump this year."
An exciting schedule is in front of Utah in 2014 as the Utes take on a schedule that includes 30 games against 14 opponents who qualified for the 2013 NCAA Tournament, but Hogue said the Utes will simplify their outlook heading into the new campaign.
"Our focus this year has been exclusively on us," Hogue said. "We haven't even looked at the opponents that we have on the schedule. We're just trying to keep the focus on who we are and what we do each and every day."
The Utes welcome back six returning starters, but will boast a diverse corps of leaders to compensate for the loss of four accomplished athletes, three who served as the captains of last year's team.
"'Cheese', Kate, `Tay' and Trina (Chalese Hadley, Kate Dickman, Taylor Jordan and Trina Gomez) will split captain duties this season," Hogue said. "This is the first time that we have ever had the votes completely split four ways. All four of these young ladies bring something valuable to this group and they will do a great job as our leaders."
Infield
Sophomore Kristen Stewart was a Pac-12 All-Freshman Team Honorable Mention pick in 2013 after hitting .393 at home against Pac-12 opponents with a .571 slugging percentage on three extra-base hits (two doubles and one home run).
"'Stewy' (Stewart) has been slated at third base again," Hogue said. "She had an impressive freshman season, and she made only two errors the entire year. In the position she played, and in the conference we're in, that's certainly worth bragging about."
Dickman, a second-team All-Pac-12 selection as a left fielder in 2013, will be a utility player, seeing time in left field as well as first base. Dickman led the Pac-12 with 15 doubles, tied for fifth in Pac-12 with four triples, finished 10th in the Pac-12 during league play with a .361 batting average.
"Kate spent the majority of this preseason transitioning from an outfielder into an infielder," Hogue said. "That's an uncommon move at this level of softball, but she is very athletic and has done a really nice job. I'm most excited to see how she can help this team win games with her bat. She is swinging it great."
Jordan will compete for innings at both corner positions in the Ute infield after earning Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team honors in 2013.
"Taylor is ready to play either corner," Hogue said. "She knows the game and can step in at any time. Plus, she looks as good as I've ever seen her offensively. She's playing the game like a senior and thinks like a coach."
Freshman Hannah Flippen is the front runner to assume everyday duties at second-base for the Utes. She was a career .441 hitter with 181 hits, 143 runs and 68 RBI as she helped Bonita Vista won the CIF title last season and was finalists in 2011 and 2013.
"Hannah will be our starting second baseman, replacing Sweet," Hogue said. "She received votes for captain as a freshman, which gives you an idea as to why we think she will be able to step right in and be an everyday player. She's going to be an exciting player to watch."
Two more freshmen will be seeing time at shortstop this season. Freshman Anissa Urtez hit .541 with a .788 slugging percentage on 46 hits for 24 RBI to go with 34 runs scored and 10 stolen bases at Downey High School in Long Beach, Calif., to earn a spot on the 2013 Press-Telegram Dream Team as well as a first-team all-league selection.
"Anissa had a fantastic fall season at shortstop," Hogue said. "She can probably play any spot on the field, but we have given her a lot of time at short, and she has led the way."
Versatile freshman Bridget Castro led Calvary Chapel High School to the CIF title in 2011 and league title in 2010. She enjoyed a decorated prep career as she was named 2011 CIF Player of the Year.
"Bridget has taken reps in every infield position since she got here in August," Hogue said. "She's a really dangerous hitter, and is versatile enough to use as a utility player. We plan to give her a lot of at bats this year because she has proven in the preseason that she can help us win games with one swing."
?3? DAYS!!
Get all the details on the team preparing for the upcoming season!... http://t.co/nZl1542LUh
-- Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) February 4, 2014 
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