In other sports, the games before conference play, with a few exceptions, are usually played against lesser teams to give the team an opportunity to tune up and increase their confidence before the conference season starts. The Utah softball team, however, takes a different approach. In the first month of the 2016 season, Utah has faced off against No. 24 Notre Dame, No. 17 Kentucky, No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 1 Florida for a total of four ranked opponents.
Instead of being nervous or scared of the top teams college softball has to offer, the Utes welcomed the challenge.
“We’re really excited to play some really good teams,” said second baseman Hannah Flippen.
Head coach Amy Hogue treats each game the same, regardless of whether it’s against the No. 1 team in the nation or the worst team in the Pac-12.
“It’s just a matter of playing with the same confidence and not worrying about who is in the other dugout,” Hogue said. “We have a real tough schedule — every team is of quality, we have to take it one game at a time and worry more about that we’re doing rather than the other team.”
The Utes lost all four games they have played against ranked teams, three in heartbreaking fashion. Utah lost to Notre Dame in extra innings, Kentucky in extra innings on a wild pitch and held Florida’s explosive offense to just one run, but they could only muster one hit in return.
In many cases, the Utes had to turn around and play another game just hours after the losses to those ranked teams. After every single loss, the Utes have bounced back with a win.
“We’ve had ups and downs, but the days that we’ve struggled, we’ve learned from it and gotten better,” Hogue said.
Throughout the wins and the loss, Hogue has learned a lot about the resiliency of the team. Following losses, Utah has not lost another game, outscoring its opponents in those games by a 31-3 margin. The fact that Utah is undefeated in games coming off of a loss is a testament to the Utes’ toughness.
“I learned that the team can handle a lot of pressure — I learned that we have some new kids that have some guts to take some big swings and some big chances in big situations against some big teams,” Hogue said.
The Utes have also had to travel long distances to tournaments, and that can take a toll on any athlete.
“Honestly, it’s hard, but being with everybody and playing the sport that you love and remembering why you play it makes it easier,” Flippen said. “It also makes it easier when you win.”
@JoeColesChrony