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Show Openings 1988 Sports - Page Ten BASEBALL & SOFTBALL T5 PotetuDinig cuviaD to Ute Young team, new recruits may earn 7 Chronicle sports editor 100 percent. That's how much better University of Utah baseball coach Rick Sofield feels his team will be this year. Since the Utes suffered through a 2 season with a low ERA of 8.03, a 100 percent improvement must be in n order if the Utes hope to see any play this 10-3- post-seaso- year. To many observers, the words "struggle" and "disappointment" would typify last year's season. Coach Sofield saw it differently. "We didn't struggle and we weren't real disappointed. No, we didn't win the games we wanted to, but then again athletics is that way," Sofield said. "We were very competitive. We were in over 70 percent of our ball , games. been and "We would have struggled disappointed if we never were there-- if we were never on the dance floor and if we never had a chance to win the game," Sofield continued. Last year's team was young, and often it takes time before a new coach can gel a working relationship with the team. With a year of the "Sofield regime" behind them, the sky may be the limit for this year's squad. The pitching staff must improve if the Utes are to be successful. As in footbalt it; doesn't matter how good your offense is if the defense doesn't do the job. Utah played sound defense and hit the ball well last year, but the bottom line is that effective pitching is the best defense and the Utes came up short on the mound. Despite shortstop Mike Aranzullo's 1988 season efforts, the U. baseball team finished with a 2 mark. This year's recruits may help the Utes better that record. V...- - . honors solve that problem." Sofield emphasized that his goals at the U. are long term and, with the great number of young, talented players returning, he appears to be moving in the right direction. "We're trying to build a program, not just one winning season. We are trying to build a traditiona program which is full of Jhard workers who take baseball very seriously," Sofield continued. The Utes did finish the 1988 season on a high note. Thev won five of their last seven games-whi- ch included an triumph over NCAA tournaBYU. The strong finish coupled with the optimism of Sofield should help the Utes come 18-1- 7 ment-bound next season. At the plate, the Utes can hold their own with any team in the county. As a tearn, the Utes' batting average was .298. Lance Madsen led the way with a .385 mark. Madsen also led the Utes as a freshman and was named WAC Newcomer of the Year. Last season Madsen led the Utes in home runs (16), RBI (42) and doubles (12). "Lance is a great player, not only physically but mentally," Sofield said. "He's the first one to get to practice and the last one to leave. Lance's future in baseball is as , big as he wants it to be." The Utes lost only two players to graduation, Lance Pratt and Kyle Hardman. Four other players from last year's teanvwill be leaving on LDS missions, but the departure of these players doesn't worry Sofield. Not much does worry Sofield. And if the postitive attitude he carries with him rubs off on his talanted young crew, the Utes may just carry him off the field in Honolulu as WAC Champs. 10-3- X ts WAG "We didn't pitch well. We played well, but we didn't pitch well," Sofield continued. "We went out and recruited some pitchers this year and hopefully we began to By Kent Condon rv baseball Softball team hopes to improve By Loren Jorgensen Chronicle staff writer had a 11 stolen bases to go her with .270 along batting average a year team-leadin- g -.- ago. The 1988 Lady Ute Softball team was a tough one to figure out. At times it would look like a top iber team on the verge of greatness. For instance, Utah won eight of its last 10 regular season contests. But far too often the team had the appearance of your average, program, as witnessed by its 4 record during the first 18 games of the season and the team's early exit from the High Country Athletic Conference' tournament last May. In all, the Utes finished the season with 5 an overall record, including a 4 conference mark which tied them for first : , 20-cal- -" run-of-the-m- 4-1- sea-so- had a slow start last year, but we were playing mostly top 20 teams and lost a lot of close games," Carr explained. "We came on strong at the end of the season, and hopefully that will carry over "We selections last season. Missy starter in the McCullough, a four-yeinfield, was jast year's regular first baseman. Pitcher Camia Pollard went 0 rir ana11naa a 1.44 liKA. The Utes return plenty of experience, ar 10-1- 1 mm however. Weridi Warhurst, a junior, will be back playing shortstop next spring. An selection, Warhurst led Utah with a .333 batting average. She also was just as important to the team with her glove, as she had the Utes' best field-- , ing percentage. Cnarmelle Green, a sophomore outfielder, was also an player. Hrppn 'hit 2fl4 and stole 10 bases in 10 attempts. Senior Joy Jackson returns to the out: field and third base. A speedster, Jackson Ail-HCA- C .'"., 3-- :;;';:Siv:,-;;V:;v;;',;- V- progress," Carr said. Carr likes the combination of youth and experience the 1989 Utes will feature. "Last season we were a very young team. We now have maturity to go along with - ing seniors, both of whom were s5 Cv'" - young in the game and making good v Utah will need to replace two graduat- v v ; Woods Cross High in Bountiful. "Both are n. (into 1989)." !vn-- "Janet is one of the premier young pitchers in the country. We're pleased we were able to get her into our program," Carr said. "She will be able to make an immediate impact on our team." The Utes will feature two more promis-- ; ing newcomers, Jennifer Fotheringham, from Salt Lake City's Olympus High School, and Amy Mason, who played for Lady Ute Coach Norma Carr hopes her 1989 squad will be able to learn from both the good and bad points of last " li - Utah returns two experienced pitchers in Paula Potter and Lisa Glassford. Potter went 1 with a 0.51 ERA during the HCAC season, which earned her honors. Glassford finished the a 5 record. with year , But one of the players Carr is most anxious to have playing for her isn't one of the returning letter winners. It's freshman Janet Womack from Arvadaf Colo. 6-- ' "v- 4-- ill 22-2- . 4. , the youth," Carr said. Tne Utes will be working on scoring , more runs this season to go along with their outstanding pitching staff. "I'd like to see the team more offensively oriented and more aggressive at the plate," Carr said. Utah will once again feature a schedule filled with teams when the season begins in March. In conference play, Carr sees Creighton as the top team along with the Utes. Utah State, New Mexico and Colorado State could also be factors in the 4 ft,fi V I !$ top-calib- er well-balanc- ed HCAC. "No team will dominate in the league. It will be a pretty good battle for the cham- pionship," Carr said. U. pitcher Paula Potter is one of the Lady Ute's returning players. Last season she won honors. lit 1 ' " V; ; M" 'Z ) ; ' JLi r "': |
