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
Utes Face Pacific In Three-Game Series
2/5/2002 12:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 5, 2002
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Utah vs. Pacific Notes
Last year, Utah and Pacific split the series at two games a piece. The Tigers won the first two games, 2-3, 5-8. In game three, which was a double header with game two, Ute pitcher Travis Palmer threw 6.0 innings and Sean Overholt threw 1.0 inning as the two combined for a shut out against the Tigers, 9-0. Nate Weese's two homeruns and six RBI led the way in game four as Utah won, 11-9.
This will be the first series played for the Tigers in 2002. They were scheduled to play Bethany College last week, but the two games were cancelled.
Last Week
Utah lost its first two games against Arizona, 0-3, 5-17, but came back to win game three, 7-5. The Utes led most of game three, but Arizona battled back and forced a tenth inning by scoring a run in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at, 5-5. With two out in the top of the tenth, Brit Pannier nailed his first hit of the game with a two-run single to center field, giving Utah a 7-5 lead. In the bottom of the tenth, pitcher Mitch Maio and the Ute defense preserved the win by forcing the Wildcats to go three-up, three-down.
Next Week
Utah travels to Grand Junction Colo., to face Mesa State College on Feb. 15-17. Game one will begin at 3:00 p.m. (MT), game two at 1:00 p.m. (MT) and game three at 12:00 p.m. (MT).
Who's Hot
Pitcher Mitch Maio has a win and a save in his two appearances for the Utes. Maio has posted a 1.93 ERA, while striking out four of the twelve batters he has faced.
Jed Chrisman and Brandon Biesinger lead the team in batting average (.500). In the three games he has played, Chrisman has four hits in eight at bats, including a homerun and three RBI. Biesinger has also played in three games and has posted three hits in six at bats with two RBI, while scoring three runs.
2002 Leaders
Though the season is still young, here are some of Utah's statistical category leaders. Nate Weese leads the Utes in hits (7), RBI (8) doubles (3) and total bases (13). Mike Basham is two out of three in stolen bases to lead Utah. Jason Wylie has recorded a team-best seven strikeouts. Wylie and Mitch Maio combine for Utah's two wins with one a piece. Maio has the only save for the Utes this season.
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.
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.
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
"We played really well in two out of the three games against Arizona. Sunday's win was our best team effort of the season. We came together as a team and pitched, played defense and swung the bat really well. I'm hoping we carry over that team effort and continue to play well against Pacific this weekend."
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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