Since the start of the season on Feb. 12, Utah has played 17 games in less than a month. The travel, the amount of games and the stress of missing school and trying to fit in time for homework can take a toll on players.
However, Hannah Flippen, Utah’s second baseman, thinks the grind is worth it and said it’s easier knowing that all the other girls on the team are struggling with the same things.
“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.”
Utah has not played since Feb. 28, receiving some much-needed time off. The Utes return to action on Wednesday and will play USF.
Why They Came To Utah
Athletes from California, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Michigan, Washington and Nevada are on this year’s roster. Every player on the Ute softball team is from out of state, but they’ve all found one reason or another to call Salt Lake City home.
Growing up in California, junior outfielder Kay Kay Fronda, who transferred from Palomar College, had always wanted to play in a top tier conference and immediately felt a bond with the team.
“It’s always been a dream to play in the Pac-12,” Fronda said. “I really loved the coaching staff and all the benefits here and how they run their program. I just think it’s really important to have a good relationship with your coach.”
Hailey Hilburn, also from California, never really thought about attending Utah, but she immediately fell in love with it when she made her first visit, despite the poor weather conditions.
“I was actually kind of freaked out because Utah kind of came out of nowhere — in a good way — it caught my eye,” Hilburn said. “I made a visit up here three years ago, and everything was under three feet of snow. I didn’t really know what the school looked like, but I loved all the pictures of it that were online. If I like it when it’s bad weather, I’m going to like it when it’s good weather.”
Oregon native Katie Donovan saw the opportunity for success not only on the field, but in the classroom. Donovan knows softball won’t always be her life so both of these things were important factors in making her decision.
“Obviously, they had a really great softball team and great coaches, but it also had good academic opportunities,” Donovan said. “It’s a large research university, and I got to be part of the Honors College. A whole bunch of things fell into place at the right time, and I’m really happy where I’m at.”
Delilah Pacheco, a transfer from Blinn College who was born and raised in Texas, was tired of the same old thing. She felt Utah would provide her with the blank slate she not only wanted, but needed.
“Texas is home, but I wanted to experience stuff outside of Texas,” Pacheco said. “When I came on my visit, I fell in love with the school, the coaches, my teammates and so I picked Utah.”
@JoeColesChrony