Utah Hosts UNLV This Weekend

April 16, 2002

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

Utah Quick Hits

The Utes are currently sitting third in the conference, with an 8-7 record. Overall, Utah boasts a 24-17 record, and is 11-3 at home. The Utes' team ERA of 5.91 ranks second in the league, while their team batting average of .323 is third best. Utah is on a four-game winning streak, which includes a three-game sweep against conference opponent Air Force last weekend. In its last two conference series, Utah has averaged more than 10 runs and nearly 14 hits per game. Mitch Maio and Cheyenne Rushton guide the Ute pitching staff with six wins each, while Brit Pannier's 45 RBI, 58 hits and 19 doubles are team highs on the offensive side.

Utah vs. UNLV Notes

This season, Utah took two-of-three from UNLV in Las Vegas. Last season, the Utes and Rebels split their six games. Utah swiped two games at home, while the Rebels did the same in Las Vegas.

Scouting The Rebels

UNLV is tied with Air Force for fifth place in the conference with a 5-10 record. On the road, the Rebels have only won one game, while dropping 10. Leading UNLV's scoring attack is Eric Nielsen, who has a .338 batting average with 32 RBI. On the mound, the Rebels are piloted by Ben Scheinbaum with a 3.90 ERA and a 2-0 record.

Last Week

Utah had its first conference-series sweep of the season over Air Force in Salt Lake. The Utes used an eight-run eighth to come back and nab game one, 11-8. Matt Ciaramella had a single, a double and a triple in the win, while Jake Jordison knocked a grand slam. In game two, the Ute bats connected for 10 runs off 14 hits to win, 10-3. Cheyenne Rushton picked up his sixth win after holding Air Force to three runs (two earned). Utah boasted another offensive eighth in game three, by scoring 10 runs en route to a 15-4 win. Mike Basham launched his first home run of the year, and connected for two other hits to knock in a team-high three runs.

Who's Hot

Brit Pannier is batting .458 in his last two conference series. In those six games, the senior outfielder has connected for five doubles, while driving in 10 runs.

Cheyenne Rushton has two wins in his past two appearances with a 2.16 ERA and 10 strikeouts. The senior has the fifth-best ERA in the league (4.57) and ranks first with five pick offs.

Take Note

Matt Ciaramella brings an 11-game hitting streak into the UNLV series. The Utes are 12-3 when scoring 10 or more runs in a game. On the flip side, Utah is 1-11 when its opponents score 10 or more runs.

Ute Leaders

Avg.    Adam Castleton    .383 ERA     Mitch Maio 4.15Hits    Pannier, Saba     58    Wins    Maio, Rushton      6HR      Nate Weese       11    SO      Mitch Maio   57RBI     Brit Pannier   45    O/BA    Mitch Maio .273Runs    Donnie Saba     47    Saves   Maio, Snyder       3

2002 Ute Honors

Mountain West Conference Player/Pitcher of the Week

Mitch Maio      Apr. 2          Cheyenne Rushton       Feb. 25Mitch Maio      Mar. 25        Brit Pannier      Feb. 11Mitch Maio      Mar. 6

Career Clips

Nate Weese is Utah's new career hits leader with 251 hits as of Apr. 16, with a lot of the season left to boost that number. The senior first baseman needs just two more home runs to tie the career record of 46. Adam Castleton needs one double and two triples to tie the Ute career doubles and triples records.

On Deck

Utah hits the road to face the conference pre-season favorite, San Diego State, Apr. 26-28. The Utes are the only team to take two games from the league best Aztecs this season. Utah is back home the following weekend to host New Mexico, May 2-4.

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Completed Event: Baseball versus No. 11 seed Kansas State on May 19, 2026 , Loss , 5, to, 9

Completed Event: Baseball versus Baylor on May 16, 2026 , Loss , 10, to, 11

Completed Event: Baseball versus Baylor on May 15, 2026 , Loss , 3, to, 10

Completed Event: Baseball versus Baylor on May 14, 2026 , Win , 8, to, 7

Completed Event: Baseball versus Utah Tech on May 12, 2026 , Win , 16, to, 9

Completed Event: Baseball at TCU on May 10, 2026 , Loss , 3, to, 4

Completed Event: Baseball at TCU on May 9, 2026 , Loss , 1, to, 3

Completed Event: Baseball at TCU on May 8, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 3

Completed Event: Baseball versus Utah Valley on May 5, 2026 , Win , 9, to, 5

The University of Utah Athletics

Utah Hosts UNLV This Weekend

Related News

Related Videos