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
Getting to Know the Newcomers
2/18/2016 12:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2016
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Before the Utes get the 2016 season started on Friday, learn more about the newcomers below.
Conner McNally
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Winning my North Coast Section Championship for Division II my sophomore year.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Football
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Socialize with friends.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
I chose it because the athletics are top of the line with great facilities and I like the snow.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My parents. They've always given me advice and the opportunity to thrive.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
The geography.
What are your goals for this year?
Become an impact player for the team.
What are your pregame superstitions?
Wear the same sweatshirt and eat the same sandwich-- chicken and jack with bacon.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
I want to potentially get my MBA or continue playing baseball.
Chandler Anderson
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Attending Cal Ripken camps when I was younger.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Beach volleyball.
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Eat and play volleyball.
Do you have a nickname? How did you get your nickname?
Chan.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
Pac-12 Conference and an excellent business program.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
Dad and grandpa. They have tracked every game of mine ever since I was little. They are always the ones to call after my game.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
Great summer and great winters.
What are your goals for this year?
Earn a starting position. Play in Omaha.
What are your pregame superstitions?
Left sock always goes on before my right and listen to `Juke Box Hero' by the Foreigners.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
Undeclared but in the business scholars program. I want to own a business.
Jake Portaro
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Hitting two home runs and finishing 3-for-4 to lead my team to victory over the third-ranked team in the nation, Bishop Gorman.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Basketball.
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Ping pong and spend time with friends.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
Facilities and coaches.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My parents because they always support me.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
The downtown area.
What are your goals for this year?
Be Pac-12 Player of the Year and finish with a 3.5 GPA.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
Business and I want to be the general manager of a sports franchise.
Jared Denning
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Hitting a walk-off home run off my best friend.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Football.
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Hang out with friends.
Do you have a nickname? How did you get your nickname?
JD, my initials.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
I chose Utah because of the great education and beautiful environment. The best thing so far is the people -- everyone is so friendly.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My parents because they only want the best for me.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
How green everything is.
What are your goals for this year?
To get good grades.
What are your pregame superstitions?
Not to step on the line.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
Sports science and I would like to be a chiropractor.
DaShawn Keirsey, Jr.
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Playing in the Area Code games.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Football
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Surf
Do you have a nickname? How did you get your nickname?
Bullseye: being a quarterback in high school, the head coach started calling me that because of my accuracy.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
I chose Utah because I immediately felt comfortable. The best thing is where the program is heading.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My dad because he has been there with me since day one.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
The open land and how spacious it is.
What are your goals for this year?
Get a starting spot. Be consistent at the plate. Be a factor for the team and get to Omaha.
What are your pregame superstitions?
Pray.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
Undeclared.
David Appleby
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Hitting my first home run and jumping into my Dad's arms when I touched home.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Hockey.
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Play other sports, hang out with friends and volunteer.
Do you have a nickname? How did you get your nickname?
Apple. I used to say that was my name when I was a child.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
It is the best fit for me as a student-athlete. The best thing about Utah is the amazing views.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My parents, because they worked as hard as possible to help put me in the place I'm in now.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
The interesting people downtown.
What are your goals for this year?
To be the best player for myself, my team and everyone I represent, and to be the Pac-12 Freshman Pitcher of the Year.
What are your pregame superstitions?
To have a single cup of coffee before each game.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
Premed. I plan on being a pediatrician or orthopedic surgeon.
Ellis Kelly
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Playing for the Okotoks Dawgs and coming back in a series from down two games to win three more and move onto the next round of playoffs.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Basketball.
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Watch movies, play video games, hang with friends or read.
Do you have a nickname? How did you get your nickname?
Sometimes people call me E, and just because it's easier to say than Ellis.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
I chose Utah because not only are they Pac-12, but it felt like I should be here.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My father has. I am the person I am today because of him. He has taught me everything and for that I am ever grateful.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
The mountains.
What are your goals for this year?
To help the Ute baseball team to a winning season and to do some damage in the postseason.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
My major is biology. After I graduate I want to take baseball as far as I can and after that I want to go to medical school and study to be a cardiologist.
Zack Moeller
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Playing in the Babe Ruth World Series in Alabama.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Basketball
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Relax and go fishing.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
I chose Utah because of the coaching staff and it was the right fit.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My father because he showed me from a young age how to carry myself and he introduced me to the game of baseball.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
The nature and the beautiful views.
What are your goals for this year?
My goals for this year are to get good grades and contribute to my team's success.
Josh Lapiana
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Playing in tournaments as a young kid for Hookstown Hammers and head coach Jimmy Beaumont.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Football
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Hang out with my family by the pool.
Do you have a nickname? How did you get your nickname?
JLap. It was my Dad's nickname in college and it kinda stuck for me.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
Coach K and Coach Crawford are serious about getting players to the next level and competing in the Pac-12.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My Dad because he is the hardest-working guy I know.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
The views at all times of the day.
What are your goals for this year?
Be a contributing member of a Pac-12 championship and having the chance to play in Omaha.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
Business. I hope to play baseball as long as the baseball gods allow.
Riley Ottesen
What is your favorite baseball memory?
Winning the 5A state championship.
What is your favorite sport besides baseball?
Basketball.
What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?
Doing outdoor activities.
Do you have a nickname? How did you get your nickname?
Ottey -- my last name.
Why did you choose Utah? What is the best thing about Utah?
1. Future in the making of success. 2. It's in the Pac-12.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My uncle. He is 11 days older than me so we grew up doing everything together. He has always supported me.
My favorite thing about Salt Lake City is:
Very artistic with lifestyle. Beautiful nature along with the city.
What are your goals for this year?
To help people become a better them. To find myself more as an individual.
What are your pregame superstitions?
Touching the chalked line.
What is your major and what do you want to do after you graduate?
I want to be a registered dietitian. I want to start my own business specializing in healthy food products or teach people how to become healthy.
Players Mentioned
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