Weber State University Athletics
Wildcat Softball Starts Practice for 2023 Season
1/10/2023 2:30:00 PM | Softball
OGDEN, Utah – The ten-time Big Sky Conference champion Weber State Softball team started practice on Monday afternoon in preparation for the upcoming 2023 season.
Legendary head coach Mary Kay Amicone is back at the helm for her tenth season in charge of the Wildcats. Amicone has led the Wildcats to six consecutive Big Sky Conference regular season championships and has won four conference tournaments including the historic 2022 championship.
Amicone is also the winningest coach in Big Sky Conference history and has a 103-39 record in conference play. She owns a 773-355-3 record in her 22 years of coaching experience. She was the unanimous selection for the 2022 Big Sky Coach of the Year, and has won the award four times overall.
The Wildcats are coming off a 2022 season that was undoubtedly the best season in Big Sky Conference history. WSU softball tied the program record with 38 wins, including historic wins over Texas A&M and Utah, and won every game in the Big Sky tournament by run rule en route to being awarded the three seed in the Seattle regional. The 2022 Wildcats set a Big Sky Conference record for winning percentage (.929) as the went 13-1 in conference play.
There is a healthy mix of experience and new faces on this year's squad. Faith Hoe, Lauren Hoe, McKell McCuistion, and Katelyn Whiting all return for their fifth seasons. The Wildcats also welcome incoming freshmen Victoria Rey, Sarah Ruhl, Taegan Smith, and Riley Whalen.
Earlier this week, Wildcat softball also announced the addition of two new pitchers.
Jayci Finch, a native of Clearfield, Utah, transfers in after spending time at Salt Lake Community College. Finch was a 2021 state champion at Clearfield High School and was named to the First Team All-State. During her time at SLCC, Finch appeared in 25 games and hurled 52 strikeouts on her way to earning a 3.63 ERA and three shutouts. Finch earned a SWAC Pitcher of the Week award and was named a SWAC All-Region Honorable Mention.
Cali McCraw comes to Ogden after playing at Massac County High School in Metropolis, Illinois, and later pitching at Lake Land College. McCraw, a 6'3" pitcher, was a 2021 state champion in high school and was named to the First Team All-State. She lettered in basketball, volleyball, and was a four-year letter winner in softball. She was tabbed as the Illinois Softball Player of the Year, and is in the MCHS Hall of Fame.
The Wildcats – a group with a history of scheduling big opponents – have one of the toughest schedules in school history for the upcoming year. The 2023 Wildcats have games against 12 teams who made the 2022 NCAA tournament, four of which advanced to the College World Series, and have also scheduled games against in-state foes Utah and Utah Valley.
Weber State opens its 2023 season with a tournament in Las Vegas that starts on February 9. The Wildcats' home opener is against New Mexico on March 15, and WSU looks to continue its championship tradition with Big Sky Conference action starting with a home series against Idaho State on March 31.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Make sure to follow Weber State softball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to stay up to date with everything happening with the Wildcats.
Legendary head coach Mary Kay Amicone is back at the helm for her tenth season in charge of the Wildcats. Amicone has led the Wildcats to six consecutive Big Sky Conference regular season championships and has won four conference tournaments including the historic 2022 championship.
Amicone is also the winningest coach in Big Sky Conference history and has a 103-39 record in conference play. She owns a 773-355-3 record in her 22 years of coaching experience. She was the unanimous selection for the 2022 Big Sky Coach of the Year, and has won the award four times overall.
The Wildcats are coming off a 2022 season that was undoubtedly the best season in Big Sky Conference history. WSU softball tied the program record with 38 wins, including historic wins over Texas A&M and Utah, and won every game in the Big Sky tournament by run rule en route to being awarded the three seed in the Seattle regional. The 2022 Wildcats set a Big Sky Conference record for winning percentage (.929) as the went 13-1 in conference play.
There is a healthy mix of experience and new faces on this year's squad. Faith Hoe, Lauren Hoe, McKell McCuistion, and Katelyn Whiting all return for their fifth seasons. The Wildcats also welcome incoming freshmen Victoria Rey, Sarah Ruhl, Taegan Smith, and Riley Whalen.
Earlier this week, Wildcat softball also announced the addition of two new pitchers.
Jayci Finch, a native of Clearfield, Utah, transfers in after spending time at Salt Lake Community College. Finch was a 2021 state champion at Clearfield High School and was named to the First Team All-State. During her time at SLCC, Finch appeared in 25 games and hurled 52 strikeouts on her way to earning a 3.63 ERA and three shutouts. Finch earned a SWAC Pitcher of the Week award and was named a SWAC All-Region Honorable Mention.
Cali McCraw comes to Ogden after playing at Massac County High School in Metropolis, Illinois, and later pitching at Lake Land College. McCraw, a 6'3" pitcher, was a 2021 state champion in high school and was named to the First Team All-State. She lettered in basketball, volleyball, and was a four-year letter winner in softball. She was tabbed as the Illinois Softball Player of the Year, and is in the MCHS Hall of Fame.
The Wildcats – a group with a history of scheduling big opponents – have one of the toughest schedules in school history for the upcoming year. The 2023 Wildcats have games against 12 teams who made the 2022 NCAA tournament, four of which advanced to the College World Series, and have also scheduled games against in-state foes Utah and Utah Valley.
Weber State opens its 2023 season with a tournament in Las Vegas that starts on February 9. The Wildcats' home opener is against New Mexico on March 15, and WSU looks to continue its championship tradition with Big Sky Conference action starting with a home series against Idaho State on March 31.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Make sure to follow Weber State softball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to stay up to date with everything happening with the Wildcats.
Players Mentioned
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