Next season's Utes figure to be good again

Power is giving way to balance within the Utah softball program.

"We're going to look different next year," head coach Mona Stevens said after the Utes belted a school-record 65 homers in 2003.

The departure of two graduating sluggers, including career home-run leader Melissa Stahnke and the addition of several speedy recruits, will alter Utah's approach next season.

Stevens, though, isn't expecting the Utes to detour from a path that has produced three Mountain West Conference tournament titles over the past five years.

As a matter of fact, she's anticipating a much-improved team next season.

A tall task considering the Utes are coming off a campaign that concluded with an NCAA regional appearance. They earned the invitation after defeating UNLV, Colorado State and San Diego State in the conference tournament.

Sophomore pitcher Brianna Gourdin earned tourney MVP honors by allowing just eight hits and one run in 21 innings of work. Her strong finish epitomizes a development that Stevens sought as Utah embarked upon an ambitious schedule that included 15 games against nationally ranked teams. The Utes (23-33) went 1-14 against the powerhouses but held their own in several of the contests, including battles with national champion UCLA and NCAA foe Stanford.

Senior shortstop Glennis Donnelly powered Utah's offense this season with a .355 batting average. She also led the Utes by driving in 50 runs, hitting 19 homers and tying a school record with 17 doubles.

Stahnke, the other starter whose career is now complete, wound up with 49 homers over four seasons at Utah and ranks among the top 20 sluggers in NCAA history.

Replacing their power won't be easy. The Utes, however, won't be completely shorthanded. Devina Quintero hit .325 with 42 RBIs and 13 homers as a freshman. In addition, she had a slugging percentage of .604, second only to Donnelly's stellar .760 mark.

Other key returnees include all-conference honoree Lynsey Wall, as well as all-tournament team selections Kate Nygaard and Jackie Wong. They'll be joined by veterans Ivette Hernandez and Bryanne Durrence, as well as seven new recruits.

The additions include Lindsie Nielsen, a junior college All-American pitcher from Salt Lake Community College.

Others, who Stevens believes are capable of making quick contributions, include outfielder Diana Phillips (Taylorsville), third baseman Staci Hemingway (Taylorsville), catcher Kaitie Sabol (Judge Memorial), shortstop Sharee Fonoti (Ewa Beach, Hawaii), and outfielders Kelly Matthews and Meghan Crouse of Vancouver, Wash.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com