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
2016 Utah Softball Preview: Catchers and Schedule
1/28/2016 12:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 28, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY - With just two weeks before opening day, UtahUtes.com will preview the upcoming 2016 season with a breakdown of Utah's roster.
This is the first of a four-part series on Utah's student-athletes at each position, which will run through Tuesday, Feb. 2.
CATCHERS
Behind the plate, the Utes return senior Shelby Pacheco who has started 156 games in three seasons. An All-Defensive performer last year for the Pac-12, she paced all catchers in the conference by picking off three runners and throwing out 15.
Junior Bella Secaira appeared in 31 games, making 12 starts for the Utes, none more impressive than her performance in a win at No. 22 Arizona State when she homered and drove in three runs.
"Shelby is the backbone to our defense," head coach Amy Hogue said. "She loves her job behind the plate and she does it extremely well. Bella is a veteran who loves to hit. She knows the game very well and does all the things behind the scenes that make us great. She takes her job in the bullpen very seriously, and has earned the respect of the entire pitching staff for the work she does for them."
The Utes also added Maddie Roth tallied a career batting average of .360 with eight home runs 81 runs batted in. She was a four-time all-league selection at Esperanza High School in California and during her senior season, she batted .408 with eight home runs and 27 runs batted in.
"Maddie has some incredible pop in her bat and can catch and play first base," Hogue added
SCHEDULE
The Utes will play 53 games during the regular season, 28 of them will be against teams that qualified for last season's NCAA Tournament. Utah will take part in four tournaments and host 17 contests, including four Pac-12 series, at Dumke Family Softball Stadium.
"I can honestly say I have never been more excited for our spring season than this year," Hogue said. "From our very first game vs. Notre Dame until our last contest against Oregon, it is simply and exciting schedule."
The Utes will begin the 2016 season at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. They will face two ranked foes, including No. 18 Kentucky on the Pac-12 Network. It will be the first of 17 games on the conference's television platform. Five of Utah's eight Pac-12 series will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks, as well as the annual clash with BYU, which serves as the home opener for the Utes.
"We start our extensive list of live Pac-12 Network televised games the very first weekend with Kentucky," Hogue added. "The days of easing into things are long gone. We will hit the ground running against some of the top teams in the country the first few days of the season."
Pac-12 play begins with a visit from Oregon State, Mar. 19-21. The other home series on the schedule include No. 20 Arizona State, Apr. 15-17, Stanford, Apr. 22-24, and No. 5 UCLA, May 6-8. The four road trips for Utah in league play will occur Mar. 24-26 at No. 13 Arizona, Apr. 8-10 at No. 23 California, Apr. 29 - May 1 at No. 21 Washington and May 12-14 at No. 7 Oregon. The Utes are the only team to play four NFCA Top 25-ranked squads on the road in conference play.
"Our team will be ready for the challenge, I can promise you that," Hogue declared. "The talent we have returning should give us as chance at improving on our top-25 ranking from last season."
Players Mentioned
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Softball Coach Amy Hogue
Wednesday, May 13
ESPN+ Feature | Behind Game Day: Grass & Turf
Tuesday, May 12
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Softball's Hailey Maestretti
Tuesday, April 28
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Softball: Newcomer Noise
Friday, April 24