Chemistry between players and coaches is pivotal for any team to be successful.
Last year’s U softball team proved that point, as a breakdown in chemistry caused the team to lose focus and have an unsuccessful season.
“The team had some real chemistry issues, and you can’t have those and do well,” coach Mona Stevens said. “We had personal issues with people not getting along and not taking care of the issues, but we can’t have that this year.”
Two seasons ago, the Utes won the Mountain West Conference, but, despite high expectations, the year that followed did not hold nearly as much success.
Finishing 20-27 in the regular season, the Utes capped off a sub par season with an early exit at the MWC Championships.
But this season, Stevens believes things will change.
“I think the dynamic that we have going for us is that the returning players we have were so key last year, and almost all of the infield is coming back,” Stevens said.
Besides first baseman Niki Hayhurst, who graduated, shortstop Glennis Donnelly, second baseman Jackie Wong, third baseman Melissa Stahnke and catcher Bryanne Durrence will be back to keep the infield intact.
With Hayhurst gone, Ivette Hernandez, who spent much of last season as the designated hitter, will take over at first base.
“Ivette was hitting very well at the end of last season and is coming nicely into her role at first base,” Stevens said.
Although Durrence occupied the catcher position for the majority of last season, she will have to split time this year with Lynsey Wall and Kate Nygard.
Wall was impressive from the center-field spot last year, as she was named to the all-MWC team as a freshman.
The newcomer Nygard is not without experience, either. Nygard played last year at Salt Lake Community College, and also competed in the Canada Cup for the junior college all-star team.
“Lynsey will be playing all the time but she will be playing a little bit of catcher and a lot in the outfield throughout the season,” Stevens said.
As for the outfield, the Utes have severe depth problems. Masie Ota’s departure has left the team with only two solid outfielders, including Wall, who will be seeing time at catcher.
The player the Utes may have to depend on in the outfield is Texie Criddle, who will probably round out the roster by the beginning of the season.
Although the Utes’ returning infield is a huge plus, the pitching staff has Stevens even more excited.
“With Brianna [Gourdin] and Heather [Bowlin] coming back along with two great new pitchers, I think our hitters will not have as much pressure to score as many runs this season,” Stevens said.
Bowlin finished last season with a 5-11 record and a 3.72 ERA, while Gourdin finished at 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA.
The two new additions to the staff are Samantha Schroeder and Melissa Oaks, who are both coming in from California.
“When I saw Oaks play, she pitched in four games and had three no-hitters,” Stevens said. “Schroeder is another 6-foot kid. Both have been throwing at the gold level for a very long time,” Stevens said.
But even with the amount of talent the Utes have on the roster, what steps has the team taken to make sure the chemistry problems don’t arise and ruin the season?
“This year, I have the counseling center involved in order to make sure that we don’t have issues that boil over and hurt the team,” Stevens said.
“I really believe the players that are returning understand what it takes, and they are very committed and dedicated to make sure that all the T’s are crossed and all the I’s are dotted for good chemistry.”
Weather problems also plagued the team last season and may have contributed to the team’s inconsistency.
Poor weather canceled 14 games in 2002, likely playing a significant role in the Utes demise.
“The weather problems are going to be there and sometimes it isn’t fair, considering the conference games, but we have no control, so we can’t worry about it,” Stevens said.
What the team can worry about are the inconsistencies at the plate, which hurt the team throughout the season.
“If we have good pitching and the hitters are loose, then we should see more consistency with the hitters,” Stevens said. “When players know they have to score a lot of runs to win games, the team tends to not score many.”
If the team stays loose and actually sticks together, unlike last season, a result closer to the one in 2002 could occur. Still, every player on the Ute softball team has a lot to prove after a lackluster 2003 season.