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 Meets New Mexico In Conference Opener
3/12/2002 12:00 AM | Baseball
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March 12, 2002
Utah Quick Hits
Since dropping four in a row during its first two series, Utah has won 11 of its last 15 games. Seniors Adam Castleton and Nate Weese top Ute hitters. Castleton has a team-high .388 average, nine doubles (tie-first), 26 runs scored and 63 total bases. Weese leads the Utes with seven home runs and 26 RBI. Cheyenne Rushton (3-0), Mitch Maio (3-0-2) and Jason Wylie (3-2) have three wins each to guide the pitching staff. Maio's 2.53 ERA is a team low, while Wylie's 34 strikeouts is a team high.
Utah vs. New Mexico Notes
New Mexico holds a 48-30 all-time record over Utah. The Utes grabbed four-of-six from the Lobos last regular season, but dropped game one of the MWC Tournament to New Mexico, 7-4. The series marks the opening of conference play for both teams. In the pre-season coaches' poll, Utah was picked to take third and New Mexico was picked fifth.
Scouting New Mexico
After starting the season slowly, New Mexico has won six of its last eight games. Directing the Lobos in 2002, is pitcher James Vermilyea (4-2), who's four wins are tied for the conference high. Troy Cairns and Chris Alexander lead New Mexico's plate attack. Alexander has a league high 34 RBI, while Cairns currently has a 24-game hitting streak dating back to last season.
Last Week
Utah dismantled Southern Utah's pitching as it defeated the T-Birds, 16-7, 22-1 last Sunday. The Utes hit .484 as a team and posted 8 home runs, six doubles and 34 RBI. In game one's victory, eight of Utah's starters posted multiple hits and five Utes knocked out home runs. The Utes connected for 24 hits, including six by Mike Basham in game two. Nate Weese paced Utah with five RBI, while Basham added four on a perfect hitting night.
Esmay Insights
"It was good to finally play at home. I'm happy about how the kids prepared themselves to play the double header against SUU after the postponements.
"We're excited about opening conference play this weekend, and as usual we expect it to be a battle. There will be 27 innings of tough baseball against New Mexico."
<>Who's Hot
Adam Castleton is batting .511 in his last nine games with 18 RBI, four home runs and seven doubles. Over the weekend, Utah's lead off hitter went 7-of-11 with six RBI, two triples and one home run.
Nate Weese knocked in seven runs and had six hits, including two home runs last weekend. The senior first baseman is hitting .476 in his last nine games with 16 RBI and six home runs.
Cheyenne Rushton (3-0) has three wins in his last three appearances. During those three games, Rushton has struck out 19 batters while posting a 2.18 ERA.
Streaking Weese
Senior Nate Weese extended his hitting streak to 15 games after hitting safely in each of the Utes' games against Southern Utah last Sunday. The senior first baseman has at least one hit in all but one of Utah's 20 games.
Ute Leaders
Avg. -- Adam Castleton --.388 ERA -- Mitch Maio -- 2.53
Hits -- Nate Weese -- 34 Wins -- Maio, Rushton, Wylie -- 3
HR -- Nate Weese -- 7 SO -- Jason Wylie -- 34
RBI -- Nate Weese -- 26 OBA -- Mitch Maio -- .203
Runs -- Adam Castleton --26 Saves --Mitch Maio -- 2
2002 Ute Honors
Mountain West Conference Player/Pitcher of the Week
Mitch Maio -- Mar. 6
Cheyenne Rushton -- Feb. 25
Brit Pannier -- Feb. 11
Probable Starters
C -- Donald Hawes
1b -- Nate Weese
2B -- Adam Castleton
3B -- Mike Westfall
SS -- Brett Baldwin
LF -- Donnie Saba
CF -- Matt Ciaramella
RF -- Brit Pannier
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