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It took a lot of lobbying from her players, but finally coach Amy Hogue gave in.

She schedules time before every game for what her team considers an essential component of its preparation: a locker room dance party, fueled by Red Bull.

"We blare the music and do these ridiculous dances," senior third baseman Kristen Stewart says. "We look like a circus, but we're just trying to have fun."

That's not the only thing Utah softball (35-20) has in common with an outdoor music festival. During team warm-ups, they toss a Frisbee or rally in a game of paddleball. There are a few Utes who could be All-American hacky-sack kickers if they didn't play on a diamond. An observer could watch the Utes for 15 minutes before practice and not see them touch a softball.

But in their defense, something about their pregame rituals seems to be steering them in the right direction. After winning their first NCAA regional since 1994, the Utes are bound for the Super Regional against Florida State. If they can win two games starting Friday, they'll be in the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

Hogue isn't exactly an enthusiastic participant in the dance parties, but she's not about to screw up the winning formula.

"You just have to time it out so there's time enough for a dance party and a Red Bull," she said. "I'm no dummy. It helps us win games."

To be specific: Utah softball is enjoying its winningest season in a decade, and first trip beyond regionals since Hogue, then Amy Timmel, was a player. The Utes knocked off 9-seed Kentucky in Lexington in two of three games last weekend, riding strong defense and timely hitting to the round of 16.

While the Utes do have the Pac-12 player of the year in junior second baseman Hannah Flippen, and sophomores Katie Donovan and Miranda Viramontes have had strong pitching performances, Utah's success hasn't been dominated by one or two stars. Leading the Utes at the plate over the weekend was junior outfielder Kay Kay Fronda (.538 average at regionals), who wasn't one of Utah's five all Pac-12 selections.

"They don't have all the big superstars, but they've recruited a lot of blue-collar girls who work so well together," Pac-12 Networks analyst Amanda Freed said. "They just always seem to have a little bit of everything working."

It's been a gradual process for Utah, which went 2-22 in conference play in its first Pac-12 season. Hogue and her staff have recruited out of state (the roster doesn't have any Utah natives) and developed an experienced corps in the infield, where starters 2 through 6 have been in place for three years.

But other elements have been more non-traditional. The Utes have concentrated on their mental approach to the game, including meeting with a sports psychologist. But the goofy pregame rituals are just as important.

"It just loosens us up," Stewart said. "Makes us happy, makes us smile. It just flips a switch for us and gets us ready for the game."

Best believe they are having fun now: The Utes wrote down a goal to make the Super Regional in a preseason team retreat. At this point, they're playing with house money.

That isn't to say that they'd be satisfied if they don't make it to the Final 8 — they would love to. But the players and coaches have been concentrating on distilling that feeling of fun that has led them this far. They emphasize: There's nothing to lose.

The Utes play better that way. During Sunday's double-header against Kentucky, senior catcher Shelby Pacheco said she could feel that her pitchers were keeping their cool. The two-game cushion the team had helped them stay loose in the region-clinching 5-3 win over the Wildcats.

"We have this mentality of being confident," Pacheco said. "If we stay how we are right now, we'll go to the World Series."

Keeping that mindset will require a few tunes. And maybe a few extra Red Bulls.

Twitter: @kylegoon —

A season of milestones

• Most Pac-12 wins (13) and highest Pac-12 finish (fourth)

• Advanced out of NCAA regionals for the first time since 1994

• Looking for first Women's College World Series berth since 1994

• Finished with five all Pac-12 honorees, including player of the year 2B Hannah Flippen —

Super Regionals

P Utah vs. No. 8 Florida State at JoAnne Graf Field, Tallahassee, Fla.

Game 1 • Friday, 3 p.m. MDT (ESPNU)

Game 2 • Saturday, 2:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)

Game 3 (if necessary) • Saturday, 5:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)