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The Utes had played 30 games before their home opener in late March. The road is almost as familiar to them as home. But it's been nine years since they've played in NCAA Regionals, and nine months since they've had time to kill.
That last part, at least, takes some getting used to.
Calling from Knoxville, Utah coach Amy Hogue said Thursday's challenge was keeping her players occupied during an extra day — the Utes traveled early to acclimate to Eastern Time — with no study hall. They couldn't quite squeeze in Dollywood and eventually vetoed miniature golf and ziplining to attend a Tennessee Smokies double-A baseball game.
"It's a little bit weird," Hogue said.
Friday, at least, they will know what they should be doing.
One further Southern comfort: Utah faced two of the three opponents in the Knoxville Regional this season, beating No. 10 Tennessee 4-3 at the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., this February and winning back-to-back, 10-1 and 3-2, against Longwood at the Hawaii Spring Fling in March.
And if Friday's opponent remains unknown, the Utes might see soon discover something of themselves in the well-rounded Hokies.
Like the Utes (34-17), Virgina Tech (34-21) is strongest on the mound (2.90 ERA) and in the field (.971 fielding percentage).
Hogue expects to face fast-working starter Maggie Tyler (15-12, 3.20 ERA) and hopes for glimpses of Kelly Heinz (12-6, 2.47) and Mikaela Aiken (7-3, 2.91), if her Utes can chase two of the hard-throwing hurlers.
At the plate, the Hokies hit .271 to Utah's .292, but they've smacked 62 homers to Utah's 40.
Hogue believes forecast rain and thick air — which has also powered the rise ball of Utah freshman starter Katie Donovan, she said — might limit the Hokies' pop.
Still, she said, "They've got really good numbers. There's not really a low spot in their game. They've got pitching, they've got defense, they've got hitting."
For now, the Hokies have her full attention. Should Utah beat the Hokies, Tennessee — 20-4 at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, where they draw 1,400 per game — may still be the clear favorite.
But Utah is 27-11 away from Salt Lake, and 14-4 in neutral site games.
"It definitely doesn't bother us to play on the road," Hogue said. "We're used to that."
They'd like to get used to the postseason, too.
Twitter: @matthew_piper —
Utah vs. Virginia Tech
P At Knoxville, Tenn. Friday, 1:30 p.m. MDT
TV • Streamed live on ESPN3 and SEC Network+
Winner faces winner of Tennessee/Longwood at 11 p.m. Saturday. Loser faces loser of that game in an elimination game 1:30 p.m. Saturday.