Denning and Bonstrom Earn All-Pac-12 Softball Recognition

SAN FRANCISCO – Two Utah Softball student-athletes have been recognized by the Pac-12 on the all-conference teams issued today by the league. Sophomore Haley Denning was named to the second team and junior Ellessa Bonstrom was named to the third team. The awards represent the first All-Pac-12 recognition for Denning and Bonstrom.
 
"It is so exciting to have both Haley and 'E' representing the Utes on the Pac-12 all-conference teams," said head coach Amy Hogue. "They are impact players for us and led our team in so many ways this season. I'm happy for both of them. They are amongst some of the most elite players in the nation and should be very proud of this accomplishment."
 
Denning, who started every game this season either in left field or at shortstop, led the Pac-12 in stolen bases (31) and hits (75), and also led the Utes in batting average (.391), runs (46), triples (5) and multi-hit games (23). She ranks ninth in the NCAA in stolen bases and hits and ranks 15th in the NCAA in triples.
 
The Utes' leadoff batter had the most stolen bases by a Utah player since 2001, and at one point this season had 12 consecutive successful stolen base attempts. She started 31 games in left field before shifting to shortstop, where she started 23 games, because of injuries at other positions. For the season, Denning also hit two doubles, walked twice and drove in eight runs.
 
Bonstrom led the Utes in home runs and ranks fifth in the Pac-12 with a career-high 14 this season. She also led the team in RBI (42) and slugging percentage (.623), and hit five doubles and one triple among her 37 hits on the season. Her 37 runs scored and 22 walks rank second among Utah players.
 
The 14 home runs by Bonstrom this season are the most by a Utah player in a single season since 2009. At one point this season Bonstrom hit four home runs in a three-game stretch, in a span of 10 total trips to the plate. After missing three games because of injury in April, she hit another hot stretch with four home runs in a five-game span.
 
The All-Pac-12 recognition of Denning and Bonstrom brings Utah's total to 19 first-third team All-Pac-12 selections since entering the conference 10 seasons ago. In addition to the eight first-team, nine second-team and two third-team selections, Utah also has had 14 honorable mention players recognized.