Utes face Stanford in softball regional

STANFORD, Calif. — The Utah softball team makes its 12th NCAA regional appearance this weekend at Stanford.

The Utes (23-31) earned an automatic bid to the field of 64 by winning the Mountain West Conference tournament title. They'll face the host Cardinal (43-16) in the first round of the double-elimination competition today. Other teams in the regional include Auburn (42-15), Fresno State (47-18), Pacific (34-21), Southern Mississippi (32-24), Southern Illinois (42-15) and Hofstra (34-19).

"We're excited to be going to California because we have quite a few athletes from there," Utah coach Mona Stevens said. "Starting off with Stanford at Stanford is going to be quite a challenge.

"We are excited about the fact we've already played and beaten Pacific, along with having played Fresno State tough earlier this year," she added. "We're positive about our chances because of the bracket and because our athletes are playing well right now. We've already played several of the top teams and just need to stay on the roll we are on."

The Utes claimed their second conference crown in three years by defeating UNLV 1-0, Colorado State 2-1 and San Diego State 3-0. Sophomore pitcher Brianna Gourdin was named tournament MVP after giving up just eight hits and one run in 21 innings.

Stevens credited the former Timpview star for setting the tone and keeping the team loose.

In addition to good pitching, this year's squad has power to back it up. The Utes have hit a school-record 63 home runs this season, tops in the MWC. Senior shortstop Glennis Donnelly has led the way with 19. She also ranks among the nation's leaders in RBIs (50) and doubles (17).

TOURNAMENT NOTES: Though the Utes led the MWC with 93 errors, they made just two miscues in the tourney . . . Stanford has hit 37 fewer homers than Utah, but has outscored the Utes 216-213 . . . Senior third baseman Melissa Stahnke has a team-high .394 on-base percentage . . . First baseman Ivette Hernandez had 19 putouts and an assist at the conference tourney . . . Utah will face Pacific or Southern Miss in the second round Friday . . . Stahnke and Donnelly have been named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Division I All-West Region Team.