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 Faces Southern Utah This Weekend
2/19/2002 12:00 AM | Baseball
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Utah vs. Southern Utah Notes
The two teams last met in a double header, which ended up a split, during the 2000 season. Southern Utah took the first game, 1-2, and Utah grabbed game two, 15-10.
SUU enters this year's series at 0-12 overall. The Thunderbirds and Utes have played one common opponent this season in Arizona. SUU dropped two games to Arizona, 1-10, 8-11, while Utah finished 1-2 against the Wildcats (0-3, 5-17, 7-5).
Last Week
Utah took two-of-three from Mesa State last weekend. Outfielder Donnie Saba hit his first home run of the season and added a double and two RBI to lead the Utes to an, 8-6 victory in game one. In game two, the Utes capped off a four-run come back in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game at, 5-5. The tie failed to hold in the bottom of the ninth as Mesa State singled home the winning run (5-6). Game three proved to be a home run derby for Utah. Four Utes homered in the top of the sixth inning, propelling Utah to a, 12-3 win. Seniors Brit Pannier and Nate Weese hit two homeruns each in the win.
Next Week
The Utes visit the Washington Huskies in Seattle at Husky Ballpark (1,500) March 1-3. Game one begins at 7:00 p.m. (PT), game two at 1:00 p.m. (PT) and game three at 1:00 p.m. (PT).
Esmay Insights
"I felt this was the first weekend this year that our pitching staff performed well all three games. It's a great accomplishment to hold a team under double figures in Mesa State's park."
"Southern Utah plays us well all the time. They come out mentally prepared to face us and always play hard all three games."
Who's Hot
Brit Pannier posted seven hits, including two home runs and two doubles in last weekend's series against Mesa State. The senior outfielder is batting .353 on the season, with 17 runs batted in.
Take Note
Seniors Nate Weese and Brit Pannier take their seven-game hitting streaks into the SUU series. Weese and Pannier have started all 12 games for the Utes this season. Junior Mike Basham has a six-game hitting streak. Basham has played in eight games and started seven for Utah this year.
Dixie On My Mind
Two Utes return to St. George and Bruce Hearst Field, where they played their junior college baseball. Mike Basham and Jake Jordison were both members of the Dixie State Rebels before transferring to the U., but never during the same season. Basham played outfield for the Rebels in 1999. Jordison was a second team juco All-American during his second season as a Rebel. He played in 2000 and '01.
Player Of The Week
Brit Pannier earned Mountain West Conference Player of the Week for Feb. 11 after hitting .500 (7-of-14), knocking in seven runs and scoring three runs against Pacific. This is the second time the senior outfielder has received player of the week honors during his career.
Tabbing Utah
Comprising the Utes are nine seniors, eight juniors, four 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 , 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.
At bats Nate Weese 250 Triples Donnie Saba 6 Stolen bases Donnie Saba 11 ERA Mitch Maio 3.26 Appearances Mitch Maio 21 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.
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. Eeles is 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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