Completed Event: Baseball versus No. 11 seed Kansas State on May 19, 2026 , Loss , 5, to, 9
Final Score
Baseball
5
vs No. 11 seed Kansas State
9
The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Baseball Begins 2002 Season
1/23/2002 12:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 23, 2002
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The Utes kick off their 2002 campaign against Cal Poly SLO in San Luis Obispo, Calif., on Jan. 25 at 5:00 p.m.(PT). Utah and Cal Poly face-off again on Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m. (PT) and wrap up the series on Jan. 27 at 11:00 a.m. (PT). This marks the first time since "fall ball" the Utes have played outside. The team trains in the bubble and HPER indoor facilities during the winter season.
Series Notes
Last season the Utes opened with Cal Poly, but unfortunately yielded the three-game series to the Mustangs (5-6, 3-5, 8-9). The Utes are 2-7 against Cal Poly since their first meeting in 1991.
Cal Poly completed its season openening series against Hawai'i Hilo with a 3-0-1 record at Simmons Field in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Tabbing Utah
The Utes return six starters from last year's team that finished third in the Mountain West Conference. Utah also returns 15 letterwinners this season, including T.R. Gourley and Spencer Hunn from the 1999 team. On the mound, the Utes return five pitchers to accompany one of the best recruiting classes Utah has had.
On The Road Again
The Utes will play 18 straight road games before hosting Southern Utah on March 8 at 12:00 p.m. at Franklin Covey Field. However, this will not be the Utes first time playing in Utah during the 2002 season, as they face SUU in St. George, Utah, on Feb. 21-23 at Bruce Hearst Field.
Returning Resources
The Utes return 6-of-20 statistical leaders from a year ago, including first team all-Mountain West Conference first baseman Nate Weese.
1. At bats Nate Weese (250)
2. Triples Donnie Saba (6)
3. Stolen bases Donnie Saba (11)
4. ERA Mitch Maio (3.26)
5. Appearances Mitch Maio (21)
6. Opp. Bat. Avg. Mitch Maio (.248)
2001 Stand Outs
Sophomore third baseman Mike Westfall was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year. Chris Shelton, now with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, was voted MWC Player of the Year after leading the Utes in 10 statistical categories.
Six Utes garnered MWC honors. Shelton, Nate Weese and Ryan Bailey were named to the first team, while Travis Palmer, Sam Swenson and Westfall were voted second team.
Esmay Insights
"We're very excited to start the new season. We've been practicing hard and it will be good to see where our level of competition ranks."
"Cal Poly is a great team to open the season against. They begin their season earlier this week and will have some games on us. But, this should be a good test for our opener."
Academic Homerun
Ten Utes, including T.R. Gourley, Sean Overholt, Donald Hawes and Ryan Reisbeck were named to the fall semester honor roll after finishing with a 3.00 GPA or higher.. Adam Castleton, Mitch Maio, Spencer Hunn, Matt Ciaramella, Doug Mackay and Brett Baldwin received furtherdistinction by being named to the Dean's List with a 3.50 GPA or higher.
Welcome Back
Two former Utes were welcomed back to the program as they signed on as assistant coaches. Matt Eeles played outfield for the Utes in 1996 and `97 and will be in charge of the defensive and base running strategies as an assistant coach. Ryan Hilts is the volunteer assistant coach. Hilts was an outfielder for the Utes in 1998 and `99.
Franklin Covey Field
Utah plays its home games at state-of-the-art Franklin Covey Field (15,500). The 13,000-seat facility (not including the general admission area), also serves as the home to Salt Lake's AAA baseball team (Stingers), which is an affiliate of the Anaheim Angels.
The 2002 Winter Olympics
The world is coming to Salt Lake City for the XIX Olympic Winter Games and the welcome mat is out at the University of Utah. The Olympic Games will be held Feb. 8-24, while the Paralympic Winter Games take place March 7-16. A major "player" in hosting the Games, the U. will be site of the Olympic Village and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Heritage Commons, the beautiful new on-campus student housing complex located on the east side at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon, will serve as the Olympic Village for some 3,500 athletes and officials. Rice-Eccles Stadium, the home of the Utah football team, will be temporarily expanded from its current capacity of 45,634 to 56,000 seats for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The University will be on semester break from Feb. 1-26.
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Baseball's Seth Graham-Pippin & Jet Gilliam
Friday, May 15
ESPN+ Feature | Behind Game Day: Grass & Turf
Tuesday, May 12
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Baseball's Luke Jacobs
Wednesday, April 29
ESPN+ Feature | Utah Baseball's Cal Miller
Friday, April 24