May 15, 2008

OREM, Utah - The 2008 Utah Valley Softball season has come to a close. And although the stats are final, the program's momentum continues to grow. The Wolverines ended their season winning nine of their last 14 games, including four-game and five-game win streaks and the team's first win over the University of Utah in program history.

"I think the girls grew up a lot and played with confidence towards the end of the season," UVU head coach Todd Fairbourne said. "That's half the battle. It makes me feel good that we're going in the right direction. Now we need girls that are coming back next year to step it up just that much more, and the new players coming in need to fill big roles."

Six Utah Valley players were honored as members of the 2008 NCAA Division I Softball All-Independent Teams, including Freshman of the Year accolades for outfielder Meghan Woodworth.

Woodworth ended her first collegiate season ranked among the top 15 Independent players in 10 statistical categories. She finished among the top five in runs (2nd, 40), doubles (T4th, 12), triples (T4th, 3), and stolen bases (T5th, 17).

"I'm obviously happy for Woodworth and feel that she is very deserving of the award," Fairbourne commented. "I'm happy that all six of them were honored, really, because I think they all deserve the recognition."

Junior Heidi Stocks, a designated player and pitcher from Haines, Ore., and sophomore Cherylyn McGraw, an infielder from Vacaville, Calif., were each named to the First Team. Earning Second Team status were Woodworth of Milford, N.H., junior catcher Kylee Steadman of Lehi, Utah, and junior infielder Magan Niemann of South Jordan, Utah. Sophomore Alli Bramwell of Orem, Utah rounded out the list of Utah Valley as an Honorable mention.

Highlights from the season included Bramwell's 13th win from the circle, a school-record since the team has played an NCAA Division I schedule. The win came in a 3-1 decision against in-state foe Utah at the Wovlerines' own MSTAR Field on May 5.

The Wolverine's three runs in the game came from one swing of McGraw's bat as she belted her fourth homer over the left field fence with Niemann and Woodworth already on base.

"Defensively our infield was solid all year long," Fairbourne said. "Especially Jessica Anderson at third, and they're all coming back next year."

Fairbourne's squad not only beat the Ute's once, but was only one swing away from beating them for the second time in the same day. Utah took a 6-5 lead in the top of the sixth inning of that second game, but Stocks hit a solo shot that tied the game, and the contest went to extra innings. The Wolverines gave up one last run in the top of the eighth inning and had a chance to tie or regain the lead with two runners on in the bottom half of the frame, but fell 6-7 in eight innings.

Coming into the set against Utah, Utah Valley was on a four-game win streak after sweeping Independent force Cal State Bakersfield in back-to-back double headers. UVU beat CSUB 6-4 and 6-1 in the first day and 11-5 and 5-4 in the second day, hitting 10 homeruns over the four games.

The team finished the season with a record of 17-34 overall and 10-10 at home with a team batting average of .278, hit 26 homeruns, scored 206 runs and had an on-base percentage of .355. As a team, the Wolverines also turned 12 double plays and recorded a fielding percentage of .950.

The Wolverines will be replacing three starters after the 2008 campaign. Although those leaving will be missed, the team is looking forward to an exciting 2009 season and more opportunities to further the Utah Valley softball program.