U. looking to return to glory

After a trying and inconsistent softball season in 2007, new University of Utah softball coach Amy (Timmel) Hogue, a former Ute second-team all-American and long-time figure in the state's softball programs, sees a return to glory for the program.

Hogue, a Utah native who coached Salt Lake Community College to conference titles in 2000 and 2003 and a regional championship in 2004, says she has "a big-time picture in my brain of what it looks like because we were successful."

"The fun thing for me is we have a group of kids that's extremely talented," she said. "I walked into a situation full of potential to win."

That may depend on whether the pitching staff can be successful despite little experience. Haili Squire threw only 17 2/3 innings in her freshman season, and Kristie Keller threw just three innings as a junior. Murray High's Brittany Parker comes in as a touted freshman, and Hogue is close to getting a transfer pitcher from a four-year school who could play immediately to add stability.

Last season was in many ways a trying one, and stern coach Angie Jacobs left after just the one campaign, which found the Utes finishing 25-26-1, 5-14 and last in the Mountain West Conference.

The Utes had a good midseason, at one point winning 14 of 16 games after starting 2-5-1. But then they won just eight of their last 27, with pitching injuries and poor depth complicating things throughout the season. Utah had just 14 players, including a couple of walk-ons, in 2007.

The season took a hit six months early, too, when starting left-side infielders Devina Quintero and Sharee Fonoti were dismissed from the team last summer by Jacobs.

Both have been reinstated by Hogue for the 2008 season, which should improve depth and hitting — Quintero was the third-leading hitter in 2006.

Junior center fielder Diana Phillips played well enough to be named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West Region second team with her .398 batting average (second in the MWC) and .482 on-base percentage.

Phillips received her third straight all-MWC honor, and junior outfielder Meghan Crouse picked up her first all-MWC first-team honor. Crouse hit .337 for the season and .375 in conference play. She had seven doubles, two triples and a home run with 10 RBIs in 2007.

Hailey Davenport was Utah's No. 3 hitter (.336) followed by Staci Hemingway (.325). Senior hurler Meghan Dyer managed a 17-14 record and 2.42 ERA, while senior Karina Cannon was 7-11 (2.63 ERA).

Hogue is still among Utah's top five in career at-bats, stolen bases, hits, batting average and runs and was a second-team all-American and first-team all-WAC selection in 1994. She helped the Utes to two College World Series appearances, and said she's determined to get the program back to that level quickly. She's held individual meetings with all team members and senses strong commitment from them as well, with everyone eligible returning.

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E-mail: lham@desnews.com