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 SUU In Home Series Opener
3/6/2002 12:00 AM | Baseball
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March 6, 2002
Utah vs. Southern Utah Notes
The Utes walked a way with a 2-1 record against SUU in St. George, Utah last month. Utah scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat SUU, 4-3 in game one. In game two, Ute pitcher Cheyenne Rushton threw a three-hit shutout while not giving up a walk and striking out six to give the Utes a 5-0 victory. Game three belonged to the Thunderbirds as they blasted out a trio of two-run homers to get the 7-4 win.
Last Week
Utah continued its series win streak by taking its fourth in a row. The Utes finished 2-1 against Washington in Seattle. In the first game, Husky pitcher Shawn Kohn struck out a career-high 11 batters as Washington defeated Utah, 11-2. Game two featured a barrage of Ute offense. Utah knocked in 17 runs off 21 hits to win, 17-8. The Utes continued to swing the bat well as they posted eight runs off 17 hits in game three. Mitch Maio (3-0) threw a three-run complete game in his first start as a Ute to help the team grab game three, 8-3.
Next Week
Utah opens conference play against New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M., Mar. 15-17. Game one begins at 2:00 p.m. (MT), game two and three are at 1:00 p.m. (MT). Last season, the Utes and Lobos both finished with a 14-16 MWC record. This season, New Mexico is picked to finish fifth in the conference by the league's coaches.
Esmay Insights
"Sunday's game against Washington was the best game we've played all season."
"It's going to be nice to be home. We played very well during the 18 road games. We accomplished the goals we set and we think the games were helpful in preparing us for conference."
Who's Hot Adam Castleton finished the weekend batting .533. The senior second baseman had eight hits, including four doubles and five RBI against Washington. Castleton is batting .483 with 10 RBI over the past six games.
Nate Weese knocked in five runs off eight hits, including a home run and a triple against Washington. The senior first baseman hit .533 against the Huskies and is hitting .444 in his last six games.
Mitch Maio threw a complete game in first start on the mound for Utah. Maio, who has primarily been used as a closer, struck out a career-high 11 batters while allowing three runs. The senior right hander is 3-0 on the season with two saves and a 2.66 ERA in eight appearances.
Take Note
Senior Nate Weese extended his hitting streak to 13 games after hitting safely in each of the Utes' games against Washington last week. The senior first baseman has at least one hit in all but one of Utah's 18 games. On the season, Weese leads the team with a .359 average, five home runs and 19 RBI.
Player/Pitcher Of The Week Cheyenne Rushton was named Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 25. Rushton threw a three-hit shutout and struck out six batters while not giving up a walk.
Brit Pannier earned MWC Player of the Week for Feb. 11 after hitting .500 (7-of-14), knocking in seven runs and scoring three runs against Pacific.
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.
Back To SLC
The Utes are glad to be playing in Salt Lake City for the first time this season. Utah began its season with 18 games (six series) on the road before hosting Southern Utah this weekend. Last season, the team was 9-10 at Franklin Covey.
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 Home Runs
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.
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