Utes And Cougars Face Off In Conference Series

April 3, 2002

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

Live stats available on BYU's website at http://www.byucougars.com/baseball/releases/20020402_bsb_rel.html.

Utah Quick Hits

The Utes (19-14, 4-5 MWC) are currently tied for fourth in the conference with UNLV, but have the second-best overall record. Utah has won seven of its last nine games and is batting .318. Adam Castleton leads the Utes with a .397 batting average, which is tied for second in the conference. Mike Basham is tied for second (Nate Weese) on the team with a .348 average, and has swiped a team-high 13 bases this season. The team ERA is at 6.35, led by Mitch Maio (3.46, 5-1).

Utah vs. BYU Notes

The Utes hope to continue a two-game winning streak against BYU. Last season, the Utes grabbed two-of-three games from the Cougars in Provo, Utah and beat them in game two of the Mountain West Conference Championships (15-14). But BYU swept the Utes at home to win the regular season series, 4-2.

Scouting The Cougars

BYU took two-of-three games against Air Force last weekend, but is currently on a two-game losing streak after dropping game three to the Falcons and another game on Monday to Notre Dame. Guiding the Cougar offense is Dave Jensen, who is hitting at a .371 clip, with a team-high 25 RBI and six home runs. Jeff Mousser (4-2) boasts a team-low 2.80 ERA to pilot the Cougs' pitching staff.

Last Week

Jason Wylie and Donald Hawes led Utah to a 5-3 victory over San Diego State in game one. In game two, the Aztecs unloaded 16 runs to trounce the Utes 16-1 and even the series. Senior pitcher Mitch Maio tossed a one-run complete game and tied his career high of 11 strikeouts to lead Utah past the Aztecs, 3-1 and take the series, 2-1.

Esmay Insights

"It is always a challenge to play a team of BYU's caliber, especially on the road. We know they will swing the bats well and every game will be a dog fight."

Who's Hot

Matt Ciaramella finished 8-of-18 at the plate (.444), including two doubles and a triple during his last five games. The freshman outfielder also scored four runs and swiped three bases. Ciaramella seems to have shaken the freshman jitters, hitting .344 over the past 15 games compared to .217 over the first 17 games.

Mitch Maio (5-1, 3 saves) tied his career high of 11 strikeouts, against San Diego State, for the second time this season to pick up his fifth win. The senior right hander tossed his third complete game and allowed just one Aztec run off five hits. Maio was rewarded for the effort with his second straight, and third overall, confererence Pitcher of the Week nod.

Take Note

Utah smacked a home run in each of its games against Albertson College on Tuesday to make it 15 straight games in which a home run was hit. In its four conference wins, the Utes have committed just seven errors. On the flip-side, Utah has committed 14 errors in its five league losses.

Career Clips

Nate Weese is Utah's new career hits leader. Weese has 245 hits as of Apr. 3 and still has a lot of season to boost that number. The senior first baseman needs just three more home runs to tie the career record of 46. Adam Castleton needs two doubles and two triples to tie the Ute career doubles and triples records.

Ute Leaders

Avg.    Adam Castleton   .397     ERA     Mitch Maio    3.46Hits    Nate Weese    48      Wins    Mitch Maio      5HR      Nate Weese        10      SO      Maio, Wylie     45RBI     Nate Weese        39      OBA     Mitch Maio    .237Runs    Adam Castleton     38     Saves   Mitch Maio          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

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

Utes And Cougars Face Off In Conference Series

Related News

Related Videos