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 Opens Second Series
1/29/2002 12:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 29, 2002
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Utah vs. Arizona Series Notes
The Wildcats took two-of-three games from the Utes last season in Tucson, Ariz. In game one, Arizona's 12 hits bettered Utah's 10 as the Wilcats went on to win, 7-8. Arizona native Mike Westfall made his homecoming a successful one, going three-of-five with three RBI as the Utes evened the series by snatching game two, 6-4. The third game proved close again, but despite out hitting the Wildcats (10-8), Utah lost another close one, 4-5.
Last Week
The Utes opened the season with a win against Cal Poly SLO in San Luis Obispo, Calif., 6-4, but dropped the second (3-8) and third games (8-13).
Next Week
Utah will make its second trip of the season to California as it faces the Pacific Tigers in Stockton, at Billy Herbert Field on Feb. 7-9.
Tabbing Utah
Comprising the Utes are nine seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores and eight freshmen. Six starters return from last year's team that finished third in the Mountain West Conference (27-29 overall, 14-16 MWC). Utah also returns 15 letterwinners this season, including T.R. Gourley and Spencer Hunn who rejoined the team after serving two-year LDS Church missions at the conclusion of the 1999 season. 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.
Head Coach Tim Esmay
Tim Esmay enters his sixth season as Utah's head baseball coach. Esmay has posted a 135-143-1 overall record and a 71-77 career conference mark.
During his five seasons at the U., 10 of his athletes have gone on to play professional baseball.
A talented player in his own right, Esmay played at Arizona State from 1986-87 and was a member of the ASU team that appeared in the 1987 College World Series. Esmay received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Arizona State in 1988.
Esmay Insights
"In the season opener we saw some good things and some things we need to get better at. I was happy with the play of our younger guys and some others who haven't played for us a lot in the past."
"We made a couple of physical mistakes that we won't make as we keep playing. Those mistakes were the difference between winning two games and losing two games."
Academic Homeruns
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 further distinction 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.
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