The Cougars enter the 2004 season to battle for their second Mountain West Conference title in four seasons and a shot at the World Series after posting the best record (36-17) in the program's history last season.
Last season's success earned the Cougars four offensive top-10 national rankings in team batting average (7th), scoring (8th), slugging percentage (4th) and home runs per game (6th).
"I think we'll compete at a high level this year," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "We have great team chemistry and we have players stepping up from all areas."
The team chemistry and depth of this year's team will help mitigate the loss of those quality players lost, some of which were impact players. After a successful fall softball season, the team looks to be stepping up to the challenge of filling the shoes of those who have gone on before them.
BYU returns 11 lettermen after losing six players, but welcomes the talent of seven new recruits, five freshmen and two transfers.
"We have an excellent recruiting class coming in, including highly sought after players, plus a good nucleus returning from last year," Eakin said. "I'm optimistic that we've assembled the right mixture of players to make us competitive."
History
The young program continues to build its reputation since former BYU President Merrill J. Bateman announced in 2000 that the BYU softball team would be upgraded to an NCAA division I sport.
In only the second year of the programs existence, the Cougars won both the MWC regular season and tournament titles and made its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, as well as winning conference, regional and national accolades.
Since the BYU environment attracts many student athletes for reasons other than just sports, the program has been able to draw from a gifted pool of athletes who want the whole package.
"We're recipients of good softball talent," Eakin said. "We have the advantage of the draw, which has helped us get out to such a quick start."
With the talented team returning and the high level of talent coming in, the Cougars will continue to refine their excellent reputation in the softball world.
Schedule
From the looks of the 2004 BYU schedule, the Cougars will be put to the test early and face many quality teams before hitting conference play.
"I think we have a well-rounded schedule that's going to give us a combination of potential top-25 teams as well as exposure with teams we haven't played before," Eakin said. "Our well-rounded schedule will provide us an opportunity to be ready for championship play when we get to that point."
BYU will make its first appearance of the 2004 season at the Hawai`i Paradise Classic where they will compete against quality teams including Hawai`i, Oregon State, Tennessee, UAB and St. Mary's.
The Cougars will also battle against Santa Barbara, Central Florida, Florida International, Houston and Stanford before heading into conference play. To mix up conference play, BYU looks forward to hosting highly regarded University of Pacific at Gail Miller Field in April.
Pitchers
The pitching squad returns three versatile pitchers this season, each bringing a unique strength to the team. The trio has great athleticism with a potential that is still unknown.
"I feel like our pitching staff is very versatile," pitching coach Vaughn Alvey said. "We have a power right-handed kid, a finesse left-hander and a bulldog coming out of the bull pin who can compliment each one of those."
Junior Niki Andersen returns as the veteran of the pitching staff with experience, strength, power and confidence on the mound. Last season, she pitched 90 innings striking out 57 batters, while starting in 16 games. Andersen will play a major role this season with her leadership and talent.
Junior Ariel Capra enters this season after recovering from shoulder surgery and a redshirt year in 2003. Before her redshirt season, Capra recorded the team's best win-loss percentage (.667) and was the first Cougar to ever be named Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week. This lefty finesse-style pitcher has great ball movement and will add intensity to the pitching staff.
Sophomore Brooke Boyce enters her sophomore year after an excellent freshman campaign leading the team in wins (12), ERA (2.31), appearances (35) and innings pitched (106). Boyce, who is referred to as the "bulldog" of the squad, brings a presence to the mound that makes everyone better. She is a pitcher who can come into a game and hold a lead, stop a comeback, or even be a starter if needed. Her strengths, power and well-rounded abilities will be a nice compliment to the other two pitchers.
Catchers
The team returns junior Easton All-American Lauren Watson and will be strengthened by the play of sophomore transfer Paige Paramore from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Both catchers will provide leadership and add to the successes of the pitching staff this season.
"Our catchers just make our pitchers better," Alvey said. "They have the type of attitudes behind the plate that are rugged and scrappy, that push the pitchers to be better."
Watson is the lone All-American from last season's team. The speedy left-handed hitter was second in the MWC for batting average (.379), hits (66) and home runs (10). Watson has a powerful arm and is a complete player. She will help the team in whatever role is needed.
Paramore, from Allen, Texas, brings with her an intangible maturity and leadership to the team. She is a multi-skilled player who is very athletic and her experience will add a spark to the team this season.
Infield
The infield is fueled with power and strength in all positions, giving the infield possibly the best chemistry the program has ever seen.
BYU will have a new look in the infield this season to capitalize on the strengths of each athlete.
Playing at the corners will be sophomores Ashlyn Russell and Ianeta Le`i, and junior UVSC transfer Crystal Young. Senior Kate Walker will move from shortstop to second base, and freshman Jodi Norton looks promising to start at shortstop. Senior Lindsey Gerhauser and junior Milli Jones will add much needed experience and depth to the middle infield.
Russell, one of two power-hitters from Hawai`i, nailed six home runs for BYU last season and will continue to be a feared hitter in the lineup. She posted a .929 fielding percentage last year and is a player with excellent hands who will provide strength at the corners.
Le`i, the other power-hitter from Hawai`i, was an all-conference player for the Cougars last year and recorded seven home runs, 40 RBI and maintained a .346 batting average. She is not only an anchor in the middle of the hitting lineup to produce RBI, but is also a player with excellent footwork on defense.
Young will be a power-player for the BYU this season and will be seen at the corner positions. She comes out of UVSC as feared hitter and brings that presence to the team with her powerful offense and timely hits.
After starting at the shortstop position last season, senior leader and defensive specialist Kate Walker transitions to the second base position to give the infield a different look. Walker hit three home runs, recorded 25 RBI and fielded a .925 fielding percentage last year. Her leadership abilities and positive attitude will elevate the entire infield, especially in the middle. Walker's ability to play shortstop or second base makes BYU a much better team and gives the team great flexibility.
Norton is a player with a powerful arm and great range. The freshman out of Mesa, Ariz., is a complete athlete who will have a great opportunity to play shortstop this season. Norton has all of the tools necessary to become an excellent all-around player while at BYU.
Gerhauser will also provide depth at the second base position. She is the type of player every team needs to make them a complete team with her willing attitude and role-playing abilities. Gerhauser is the consummate team player and will be ready to deliver this season whenever called upon.
Jones is another player who returns with great athleticism and can play multiple positions. She can be seen in both the infield and the outfield this season as the team develops. Jones has excellent speed and game experience.
"We have a lot of depth in the infield," coach Mindy Hanson said. "If we do have injuries, we have very capable players who can step in and fill roles."
Outfield
The outfield is deep and filled with several capable players who will all battle and compete for starting positions. Due to the high talent level, the level of competition will be raised and produce a solid interchangeable outfield.
"We're optimistic that the outfield will seek a high level," Eakin said. "Right now it's so competitive that it hasn't solidified itself."
Senior Belinda Osborn, junior Debbie Dodds, along with freshmen Krystle Chamberlain, Kim Dabo, Carli Jones and Jennifer Whiteley all bring various strengths to the outfield, which creates a competitive atmosphere.
In her final season, Osborn returns to contribute experience and quickness with her game-breaking speed on both the defensive and offensive ends. She creates big problems for the opposing defense.
Dodds has evolved into an anchor in the outfield. She has worked extremely hard and continues to bring a tremendous work ethic to the team. Coach Eakin expects Dodds to continue to elevate her game.
Chamberlain, from Camarillo, Calif., is another player who will contribute with her game-breaking speed and offensive presence at the plate. Chamberlain joins the Cougars this season after a great high school performance. She currently holds the career stolen-base record in California with 153 stolen bases.
Dabo, from Hollister, Calif., is an athletic player who can contribute in many different roles for the team. She is a multi-skilled two-sport athlete coming off a redshirt volleyball season. Her brother Tyler was a member of the BYU baseball team in 2002 and 2003.
Jones, a freshman from Mesa, Ariz., will serve as a utility player for BYU. Her athleticism, fiery attitude and competitive spirit will bolster the team this season.
Whiteley, from Houston, Texas, is another complete athlete who is a fundamentally sound player. She has the potential to be incredible in all areas of the game as she makes the transition from high school to college. Coach Eakin said she has the best game instincts he's seen in a freshman for a long time and she always seems to be thinking ahead.
Stadium
BYU houses the one-of-a-kind mirrored-image softball/baseball complex that was made possible by primary donors Larry and Gail Miller, together with Sy and Betty Kimball.
Gail Miller Field is one of the top softball facilities in the nation, measuring 210 feet down the left and right field lines and 220 in centerfield. The 2,100 capacity softball stadium is the fourth-largest-on-campus NCAA softball facility in the country, behind Fresno State (5,767), Oregon (3,000) and Arizona (2,500).
The stadium features all stadium seats, a press box, locker rooms, laundry issue rooms, training rooms, indoor batting cages and state-of-the-art scoreboards.
"Our stadium is the nicest facility in the country," Eakin said. "Not only is everything state-of-the-art, but everything is in-house."
Coaching Staff
The BYU coaching staff is entering into their second season together. Together they are building the foundation and taking the BYU softball program to the next level. Each coach has exceptional knowledge of the game, tremendous passion for the sport and brings rich insights to the team.
Former BYU pitcher Cynthia Fallowfield will help the staff this season serving as a graduate assistant.
Fallowfield returns after an excellent career at BYU to provide prized insights to the pitching crew. Having lived through the college experience, she will be able to relate with the pitchers and help them with the numerous mental and physical challenges that come along with the game.