This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Before the season started, Utah softball coach Amy Hogue asked her players to describe, in writing, the perfect selection show party. Where would it be? Who would be there? What would you eat?
There were some blank looks.
A … what now?
"There were a few players on our team that had never seen one," Hogue said. "They didn't even really know what that was about."
They can be forgiven: Utah hasn't been "selected" since 2006.
It had been five years running when Hogue discovered one of the cornerstones of this year's group, center fielder Kate Dickman, effortlessly stroking pitch after pitch into the left-center gap at Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, Calif.
Without (yet) a flashy new stadium or a track record in Utah's new conference, Hogue convinced Dickman that the Utes were on their way, and the early returns seemed to prove it. Utah went 26-6 outside its conference in Dickman's freshman year, with Dickman an everyday starter.
But then, for the first time, Utah faced the Pac-12. And Utah went 2-22.
The next two seasons were a little better. Utah earned its first conference series sweep, against Cal, at the tail end of spring 2014. Still, while .348 may be a respectable batting average, it's not much of a conference winning percentage.
The difference between then and now, when Utah sits 11-10 and is virtually assured a postseason berth, is "just belief, really," Dickman said.
Hogue said Dickman seized the reins the day the spring 2014 season ended, calling incoming freshmen and pestering teammates about offseason conditioning.
She also did her part: Utah's best hitter got better.
Dickman leads the Utes in most hitting categories: average (.426, 10th in the Pac-12), runs (44), hits (66, fifth), doubles (18, tied for second), home runs (8) and stolen bases (11, on just 12 attempts). She's struck out just 11 times. And Hogue credits her improved defense, part of a collective effort that ranks No. 9 in the nation (.977 fielding percentage).
"I think just enjoying it and realizing it's almost over makes it more fun and less pressure," Dickman said. "It's easier to succeed in those situations, when you're really taking in every moment."
Utah's belief was tested when it was swept resoundingly by No. 6 UCLA and No. 1 Oregon to begin the Pac-12 slate. Hogue admits: "It started to get to us." Instead of sulking, though, the Utes won five straight Pac-12 series — three against ranked opponents.
A series win against No. 20 Washington this weekend (weather permitting) gives the Utes a puncher's chance at third place, behind the Ducks and the Bruins.
That'd be validation, Hogue said, for not only Dickman, but seniors Kendal Bergman, Shelbi Everett, Marissa Mendenhall, Mariah Ramirez and Maddy Woodard.
"I love that they're getting some attention for the work that they've always put in, but that is finally equating to some wins," Hogue said.
When Dickman's sister Ally becomes a freshman outfielder in 2016, it will be a different program: one, at least, where a selection-show party is not a foreign concept.
And one where Hogue doesn't need any more input on parties.
After all, she now has 18 pages of notes.
Twitter: @matthew_piper —
Utah vs. No. 20 Washington
P At Dumke Family Softball Stadium
Times • Thursday, 6 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.
Records • Utah 33-16, 11-10 Pac-12; Washington 39-14, 10-10
TV • Pac-12 Network
About Utah • The Utes have won five straight Pac-12 series since being swept by No. 1 Oregon and No. 6 UCLA, and are ranked No. 22 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll (The Tribune uses the USA Today poll). They rank third in the conference in ERA (2.70) and first in fielding percentage (.977, good for ninth in the nation).
About Washington • The Huskies have alternated wins and losses in their past 11 games, most recently taking two out of three against Oregon State. They're fourth in the heavy-hitting Pac-12 in batting average, at .349, and first in runs scored, at 438.
Notes • Larry Krystkowiak will throw out the first pitch Friday, and Britton Shipp, severely injured in an ATV accident last November, will throw out the first pitch Saturday. Shipp spent three months in a coma being cared for by his sister, Autumn, who played for the Utes last year. Autumn will catch his first pitch.