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They have different stances in the batter's box — different set-ups and different spacing.

But that's also the place where the resemblance becomes most apparent, Utah softball coach Amy Hogue says. Freshman outfielder Ally Dickman swings the bat an awful lot like her sister. It's a long, left-handed stroke, distinctive for someone her age.

"A lot of freshmen can pull the ball and get a good twist on it, but they can't hit it hard opposite field," Hogue said. "She came in with the ability to hit both sides of the field in the gaps. It's the same swing path — and the same great family came along with it."

Kate Dickman, who graduated from the program last fall, can't explain exactly why Ally takes after her. When they were younger, Ally wouldn't let Kate coach her swing.

"She would get kind of frustrated with me," Kate said, laughing. "It's different now, though. We hit together in the summer and during Christmas break. I still think we are pretty different."

For one thing, Kate volunteered, Ally is having a better freshman year with the Utes (32-19, 13-10 Pac-12).

Ally Dickman's rookie batting average (.290) has helped the Utes replenish production from the outfield from last season, including the numbers Kate gave the team last year. While the coaches and players are careful not to make too many comparisons — everyone says the sisters are very different — replacing one Dickman with another has worked out well for the softball team.

While some siblings might be intimidated to follow in their older sister's footsteps, Ally has shuffled into the program very comfortably.

"When I was a sophomore, I kind of thought about going somewhere else [besides where Kate went],," she said. "Then I realized that's a dumb reason to miss out on what has become the school I love so much. It really helped me make my transition much smoother."

In her four-year career with the Utes, http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2508906-155/utah-softball-amy-hogue-named-pac-12";>Kate Dickman left a large shadow. Last season, she batted a team-best .431 with 10 homers and a whopping 130 total bases — 35 more than anyone else on the roster. Kate set a team record last year with 20 doubles.

While she initially was known as Kate's little sister, Ally has created a unique stamp early in her career with an outgoing, more extroverted personality. She's formed her own bonds, and her early contribution for the Utes (she's started 44 games in outfield) speaks for itself. She's also inherited her sister's gift for two-baggers — her 11 doubles are second-best on the team this year.

The former team MVP from Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, Calif., has translated her distinctive swing to two Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors, and she's a strong bet to make the Pac-12 all-Freshman team announced at the end of the week.

While her superstitions have led her to believe her dark red nail polish might have helped her hit well like she did batting .600 in a series sweep of Stanford last month, she also acknowledges she's prone to hot streaks.

"Sometimes when you see a pitcher who relies on one pitch and you do well, you just get confidence for a weekend because you know you're going to see them again in that series," she said. "I think sometimes I just get in that zone and get really confident in how I see the ball."

Dickman will be one of the many Utes expected to produce this weekendhttp://www.sltrib.com/sports/3893193-155/utah-softball-utes-earn-ncaa-berth";> when the team starts NCAA regionals against Illinois in Lexington, Ky., this Friday. Kate, who now works full time in California, rues the fact that she can't be playing in uniform with Ally this weekend. But she'll take off a little early to fly out and be in the stands.

"People would say it will be fun to watch your sister follow in your footsteps, but she's making her own footsteps," Kate said. "It's been fun to watch her play and excel. It gives me an excuse to hang around the team for another four years."

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon