The young, talented 2004 softball team stepped up in all positions this season to post a 34-18 overall record and an 11-8 Mountain West Conference record. The team finished the conference season in third place, behind Colorado State and San Diego State.
BYU continued to be an offensive presence nationally by earning two top-15 rankings in batting average (.304) and scoring (5.35). At the conference level, the Cougars finished second in batting average only behind Colorado State (.327), who finished the year with a No. 4 national ranking.
Although there were many individual honors and records set, this season was really a team effort. The team showed depth in all positions and displayed great team chemistry on an off the field.
For the first time in BYU history, four athletes were named to the MWC All-Conference team. Sophomore Ianeta Le`i received MWC Player of the Year recognition and earned back-to-back All-Conference honors, while teammates Brooke Boyce, Debbie Dodds and Paige Paramore received the first All-Conference citations of their careers. Le`i, Dodds and Paramore were named second-team NFCA West All-Region. Paramore was also named second-team Easton All-America and Le`i was named honorable mention Easton All-America.
Despite having a great season, the Cougars were unable to advance to the post season as New Mexico eliminated BYU during the first round of the MWC Championships in a 10-inning 1-0 heartbreaking loss. Rain and snow conditions forced the conference tournament to single elimination instead of the regular double elimination format.
Pitching Staff
The pitching trio added immensely to the Cougars' success this season. Under the direction of pitching coach Vaughn Alvey, juniors Niki Andersen and Ariel Capra along with sophomore Brooke Boyce helped post an overall 2.28 ERA, which is the best-combined ERA in the program's history.
Andersen, the veteran of the pitching staff, rose to the occasion this year in many situations. She brought power, strength and leadership to the mound and achieved many individual honors. Andersen set a new BYU record for most wins in a season with 18, and also pitched only the second no-hitter in BYU softball history in a game against Central Connecticut State. She finished the season with a 2.14 ERA, team-high 120 strikeouts, 13 complete game appearances and pitched 157.1 innings. Her hard work paid off as she was named MWC Pitcher of the Week three times this season. When teammate Boyce took a line drive to the face in the first inning of the conference-opening game against UNLV, Andersen stepped in to pitch almost three complete games on a severely sprained ankle. She was awarded Defensive Player of the Year by the team for her efforts this season.
Boyce, another strong right-handed pitcher, led the team with a season-record low 1.73 ERA after making a remarkable recovery from a serious injury. It was amazing for her to return to the mound after only being out of the pitching rotation for three games. Her determination, courage and love for the game helped her battle back to register 13 wins, 61 strikeouts, two saves, 15 complete game performances, and pitch 137.2 innings. After a strong finish on the mound, Boyce earned the first MWC All-Conference honor of her career.
In her first year back from shoulder surgery, Capra appeared in 17 games this season for the Cougars. The lefty finesse-style pitcher added a 3-3 record, 4.20 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 55.0 innings.
With all three pitchers returning, the pitching staff will bring experience, leadership and confidence to the mound next season.
Catchers
Junior Lauren Watson and sophomore Paige Paramore rotated at the catcher position this season and provided a great mix behind the plate. While in their rotation, both saw time in the outfield. Their intense attitudes and work ethic added to the success of the pitching staff.
At the New Mexico State University Softball Invitational, Watson was named to the All-Tournament Team and was named the Tournament MVP for her 6-9 (.666) hitting performance including a triple and a home run while also scoring four runs and stealing two bases. Watson led the team and the MWC this season with four triples. She also knocked in 28 RBI, nailed four home runs, scored 30 runs, and defensively posted 147 putouts and a .982 fielding percentage.
After transferring from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Paramore was an instant asset to the team. In her first year as a Cougar, she was named to the All-Conference, second-team NFCA West All-Region and second-team Easton All-American teams after leading BYU in batting average (.355) and hits (54). She also hit 11 doubles, seven home runs, 32 RBI, and defensively registered a .991 fielding percentage. At the end of the year, Paramore was voted the team's Co-Offensive Player of the Year for her solid season.
Infield
The infield got a new look this year in both the middle and the corner positions, as changes were made to capitalize on the strengths of each athlete. Senior Kate Walker moved from shortstop to second base and freshman Jodi Norton played the shortstop spot, while Ianeta Le`i and Ashlyn Russell flopped positions at the corners to play first and third base, respectively. Senior Lindsey Gerhauser provided depth to the middle infield, and junior Crystal Young provided experience and power at the corner positions. The talent and strength of the infield gave the pitchers great confidence to throw on the mound.
Walker's positive attitude made the transition to second base smooth, and with Norton the duo provided the Cougars with a great middle combination. The talent of Walker, Norton and the corners helped the team set a new school record for most double plays in a season with 19, breaking the previous record of 14 set in 2002.
This season Walker exploded at the plate registering season-highs in batting average (.326), RBI (27), home runs (7) and hits (42), and defensively she posted a fielding percentage of .955 with 120 putouts and 92 assists. She led the team through the first part of the season in batting average, and was named Most Valuable Player in an award given by the team. She has been a major contributor to the BYU softball program and her leadership and defense will be missed next season.
Norton posted an excellent freshman campaign at the shortstop position and gave the Cougars a glimpse of the future in BYU softball. She started in all 52 games this season and led the team with 39 RBI. She finished the year with a .323 batting average, 11 doubles, eight home runs, and defensively with 67 putouts and a team-high 107 assists. She was named to her first MWC Player of the Week honor after hitting 6-13 (.462) with three home runs, seven RBI and four runs scored at the Stanford Classic. With a year of experience under her belt, expect big things from Norton next season.
Also adapting to new positions were Hawaiian sluggers Le`i and Russell.
In her second season with the Cougars, Le`i continued to be an offensive threat at the plate and helped BYU with her solid play at first base. She was named MWC Player of the Year after contributing a .348 batting average, .617 slugging percentage, 32 runs scored and 34 RBI, while registering 49 hits including 11 doubles, three triples and seven home runs. She was also named All-MWC and second-team NFCA West All-Region for the second straight year, and earned honorable mention Easton All-America honors for the first time. Le`i broke a new BYU single-game record for most RBI in a game with seven against conference-rival Utah. Along with Paramore, she shared Co-Offensive Player of the Year recognition after an outstanding season.
Russell, another feared hitter, added another strong year for BYU batting .288 with 29 RBI and a team-high 11 home runs. When BYU hosted No. 23 Pacific at Gail Miller Field, Russell launched a three-run home run down the left field line to help the Cougars get an 8-0 shutout over the Tigers. At the third base position, Russell noted 130 putouts and 98 assists, while maintaining a .950 fielding percentage.
Gerhauser helped the Cougars this season with her speed as a pinch runner and appeared in 47 of BYU's 52 games. When called upon at the Stanford Invitational, Gerhauser did an excellent job filling in at the second base position for an injured Walker against two tough teams Hawai`i and No. 12 Stanford. Her positive attitude lifted the team this season, and she was voted Most Inspirational Player by the team for her contributions during her final year of BYU softball.
After transferring from Utah Valley State College, Young came to BYU as a feared hitter. She appeared in 17 games this season at the corner positions or as a pinch hitter. She hit the first home run of her BYU career with a three-run shot over left field to lead BYU to a 6-4 win over UTEP at the NMSU Invitational. Next season Young will provide power in the line up and experience at the corner positions.
Outfield
The outfield positions were a battle this season with many capable players fighting for a starting spot. The depth in the outfield provided the Cougars with flexibility and an interchangeable look. Senior Belinda Osborn, juniors Debbie Dodds and Milli Jones along with freshmen Krystle Chamberlain and Jennifer Whiteley all brought various strengths to the outfield this season.
Osborn finished her BYU career with a .258 batting average, 22 runs scored, 23 hits, two triples, six RBI, and defensively notched a .972 fielding percentage. She also helped the Cougars with her speed this season as she stole eight bases. Against UVSC and UNLV Osborn scored a career-high four runs, and against Tennessee and CSU she had a career-high four putouts from left field.
Dodds was an anchor in centerfield this season and earned many deserving individual awards for her hard work. She was named All-MWC and second-team NFCA West All-Region for the first time. Dodds set a new single-game record for most stolen bases in a game with three against conference opponent New Mexico. She ended the season third on the team in batting average with a .327 average. She also posted a .628 slugging percentage and tallied 37 hits including eight doubles, one triple, eight home runs and 30 RBI.
Jones appeared in 35 games this season either as a pinch runner or in the outfield. Her versatility helped the Cougars as well as her athleticism and speed. Defensively, she posted a 1.000 fielding percentage for the second time in her BYU softball career.
Chamberlain really helped the team this season with her game-breaking speed. She led the team in stolen bases with 11. The slap-style hitter ended the season with a .282 batting average, 37 hits, 27 runs scored, two doubles, two triples and seven RBI. Defensively, she also posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage during her freshman year.
Whiteley is another freshman that made a major impact to the success of this season's team. She started in 41 out of 51 games for the Cougars and maintained a .295 batting average with 39 hits, 24 runs scored and 12 RBI. She also contributed with her speed and has the ability to accomplish great things while in the BYU softball program.
Regular Season
BYU was put to the test right out of the new BYU indoor practice facility as they left the mainland to compete in Honolulu at the Hawai`i Paradise Classic. The Paradise Classic marked the first time the Cougars had the opportunity to play outdoors since October, and also allowed sophomores Le`i and Russell to return home and play among friends and family.
In Hawai`i the team got out to a 0-3 start after facing top-quality softball teams including Hawai`i, Oregon State, and Tennessee, teams that either received votes or were ranked in the top-25 college softball poll.
After three season-opening losses, the team pulled together to win the last two games of the tournament, which led to a six game winning streak including a 3-0 record at the Softball by the Beach Invitational in Santa Barbara, Calif.
The streak was broken in the second game of Hyatt Regency Cougar Classic in Houston, Texas when Villanova defeated BYU 4-3. The Cougars lost two more games in Houston to Virginia and Mississippi State, but ended the tournament with a nice 10-2 win over Pittsburgh.
BYU then went to compete in its fourth tournament of the season. The Cougars won the New Mexico State Invitational and BYU's Watson was named Tournament MVP and to the All-Tournament Team.
At the San Diego Classic, the Cougars came away with a 4-1 record. Against Central Connecticut State, Andersen struck out nine of 18 batters to register only the second no-hit performance in school history to lead BYU in an 8-0 shutout.
After the San Diego Classic, the Cougars competed in their final regular season tournament, the Stanford Classic. BYU beat UC Riverside for the third time of the season, and then got revenge in a 5-2 win against Hawai`i, who handed BYU the first loss of the season. The Cougars posted a 2-2 record at the Stanford Classic with losses coming from Illinois and No. 15 Stanford.
BYU finally got a change to play in Utah for the first time in a doubleheader against Utah Valley State College, competing in their first year of Division I softball. After heading down University Parkway, the Cougars came away with 15-2, 11-1 wins to give them a boost of confidence going into conference play.
Mountain West Conference
After six preseason tournaments and 27 road games, the Cougars finally played at Gail Miller Field to open up the conference season. BYU was picked No. 3 in the preseason poll behind No. 1 SDSU and No. 2 CSU, while Utah, UNLV and New Mexico rounded out the preseason MWC rankings.
The Cougars split six times this season: both times against UNLV and Utah, and once with SDSU and CSU. The Cougars swept New Mexico in three match-ups this season and dropped two games to CSU on the road. BYU ended the season on a high note with a sweep over No. 1 SDSU on the road.
After two road wins against top-ranked conference opponent SDSU, the Cougars knocked the Aztecs into the second place spot going into the MWC Championship Tournament, while Colorado State claimed the regular-season title.
Going into the MWC Championships as the No. 3 seed, the Cougars matched up with No. 6 seed New Mexico in the first game of the tournament hosted by CSU in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Unfortunate weather conditions delayed the start of the tournament and canceled the first day of games. For the first time in MWC history, the tournament turned from double elimination to single elimination.
In the first game of the tournament, BYU was defeated by New Mexico in a 1-0 game that went into 10 innings.
The No. 4 seed Utah upset No. 2 SDSU to win the single elimination tournament and received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Outlook in 2005
The 2005 team will definitely miss the indispensable leadership of the three departing seniors - Walker, Gerhauser and Osborn - as each has made great contributions to BYU softball.
But with the talented nucleus returning and the new recruits joining the team, BYU will continue to refine their excellent reputation in the world of college softball.