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
2017 Utah Softball Season Preview: Pitchers and Catchers
2/1/2017 3:14 PM | Softball
Utes return talented duo in circle
SALT LAKE CITY - With just one week before opening day, UtahUtes.com will preview the upcoming 2017 season with a breakdown of Utah's roster.
This is the first of a three-part series on Utah's student-athletes at each position.
PITCHERS
Utah has a formidable 1-2 punch in the circle with a pair of juniors in Katie Donovan and Miranda Viramontes.
Donovan was a First Team All Pac-12 pick as well as a NFCA All-Region selection in 2016. She surpassed her career high with 20 wins, third-most of any Pac-12 pitcher, and her 2.47 earned run average was fifth in the Pac-12.
Donovan defeated No. 9 Kentucky twice in the NCAA Tournament, allowing just one earned run over 13 1/3 innings pitched. She also notched a complete game victory at No. 3 Oregon as well as a win at No. 10 Washington.
"Katie added another pitch to her arsenal that completes her game and the success she had it with this fall put her at a whole new level," Hogue added.
Viramontes made 24 starts and also shined in the postseason for the Utes. She pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings against Illinois in the NCAA Tournament, striking out six batters and then had a career-high nine strikeouts in a complete game against the Wildcats. She then picked up her second save of the season in the regional clincher.
When all was said and done last year, the California native struck out 92 batters and amassed a 2.73 earned run average
"Miranda spent a lot of time working on her new pitch and gaining confidence with it," Hogue said. "She will double her strikeout totals this season if she can trust that new pitch."
Utah also has a pair of other pitchers in sophomore Hailey Hilburn and freshman Claire Feldman. Hilburn is especially interesting because of what she brings offensively to the Utes.
She led the Pac-12 with 21 relief appearances and then went 4-for-9 in the three NCAA games against UK. Feldman, from Lithia, Florida, was ranked as the No. 38 recruit in the nation by FloSoftball.com
"Hailey is vying for innings on the mound, mostly as a closer, and in the hitting lineup as a DP," Hogue said. "She is one of my favorite hitters. The maturity and poise she showed during the postseason allowed us to see how valuable she can be with her bat.
Claire is slated to red-shirt this season. She is similar to Katie in that she spins the ball very well. She fits nicely to our program and works extremely hard."
CATCHERS
Behind the plate, the Utes must replace Pac-12 All-Defensive performer Shelby Pacheco. Utah has a triumvirate to choose from in Kelly Martinez, Bella Secaira and Maddie Roth.
Secaira has the most experience with 96 games under her belt as a Ute. Martinez was a three-time All-State selection after hitting .595 at Yucaipa HS in California and played with fellow newcomer Barrera on the U-16 Premier Girls Fastpitch champions, Firecrackers Brashear. Roth played 30 games as a freshman and has a good rapport with the pitching staff.
"Kelly has big shoes to fill behind the plate after earning the starting spot," Hogue said. "She is a lot like Hannah with her power and speed. She actually might be the fastest kid on the team.
Maddie will start the season as the backup catcher and can also fill in at first base and DP. She works hard, has experience with the pitchers and catches them really well. Bella is in the same boat and helps us win games by preparing our pitchers. We look at her as another coach because she elevates the play of her teammates. She will also be used in pinch-hit situations."
This is the first of a three-part series on Utah's student-athletes at each position.
PITCHERS
Utah has a formidable 1-2 punch in the circle with a pair of juniors in Katie Donovan and Miranda Viramontes.
Donovan was a First Team All Pac-12 pick as well as a NFCA All-Region selection in 2016. She surpassed her career high with 20 wins, third-most of any Pac-12 pitcher, and her 2.47 earned run average was fifth in the Pac-12.
Donovan defeated No. 9 Kentucky twice in the NCAA Tournament, allowing just one earned run over 13 1/3 innings pitched. She also notched a complete game victory at No. 3 Oregon as well as a win at No. 10 Washington.
"Katie added another pitch to her arsenal that completes her game and the success she had it with this fall put her at a whole new level," Hogue added.
Viramontes made 24 starts and also shined in the postseason for the Utes. She pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings against Illinois in the NCAA Tournament, striking out six batters and then had a career-high nine strikeouts in a complete game against the Wildcats. She then picked up her second save of the season in the regional clincher.
When all was said and done last year, the California native struck out 92 batters and amassed a 2.73 earned run average
"Miranda spent a lot of time working on her new pitch and gaining confidence with it," Hogue said. "She will double her strikeout totals this season if she can trust that new pitch."
Utah also has a pair of other pitchers in sophomore Hailey Hilburn and freshman Claire Feldman. Hilburn is especially interesting because of what she brings offensively to the Utes.
She led the Pac-12 with 21 relief appearances and then went 4-for-9 in the three NCAA games against UK. Feldman, from Lithia, Florida, was ranked as the No. 38 recruit in the nation by FloSoftball.com
"Hailey is vying for innings on the mound, mostly as a closer, and in the hitting lineup as a DP," Hogue said. "She is one of my favorite hitters. The maturity and poise she showed during the postseason allowed us to see how valuable she can be with her bat.
Claire is slated to red-shirt this season. She is similar to Katie in that she spins the ball very well. She fits nicely to our program and works extremely hard."
CATCHERS
Behind the plate, the Utes must replace Pac-12 All-Defensive performer Shelby Pacheco. Utah has a triumvirate to choose from in Kelly Martinez, Bella Secaira and Maddie Roth.
Secaira has the most experience with 96 games under her belt as a Ute. Martinez was a three-time All-State selection after hitting .595 at Yucaipa HS in California and played with fellow newcomer Barrera on the U-16 Premier Girls Fastpitch champions, Firecrackers Brashear. Roth played 30 games as a freshman and has a good rapport with the pitching staff.
"Kelly has big shoes to fill behind the plate after earning the starting spot," Hogue said. "She is a lot like Hannah with her power and speed. She actually might be the fastest kid on the team.
Maddie will start the season as the backup catcher and can also fill in at first base and DP. She works hard, has experience with the pitchers and catches them really well. Bella is in the same boat and helps us win games by preparing our pitchers. We look at her as another coach because she elevates the play of her teammates. She will also be used in pinch-hit situations."
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/ SoftballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Softball Coach Amy Hogue
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