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The University of Utah Athletics
2003 Baseball Preview
10/21/2002 12:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 21, 2002
Hoping to ride the momentum of their second-best winning season, the Utes are optimistic for great things in 2003. Last season, Utah posted a 33-26 overall record and a 16-14 Mountain West Conference, which helped them finish second. "Last season was a fantastic run by our team, and winning thirty-three games is an incredible feat," says Head Coach Tim Esmay.
Besides being a winning season, it was also a record-breaking season for the Utes. Listed below are some of the records that were shattered last season. Senior Nate Weese wrapped up his career in a Utah uniform as the new career hits (280), home runs (50) and at bats (876) leader. Senior Brit Pannier proved two be the two-bagger king by breaking the single season doubles (26) and career doubles (60) records. Senior hurler Mitch Maio broke the season strikeouts (94) and win-loss percentage (.900, 9-1) records. As a team, the Ute pitching staff set a new season strikeout mark with 391. Utah also had five players garner all-conference honors, including Maio, who was named MWC Co-Player of the Year.
With the loss of six starters and 12 letterwinners, Utah will look to junior Mike Westfall and sophomore Matt Ciaramella as the offensive leaders. Westfall, a two-time all-conference honoree, was second on the team last season with a .356 batting average and 80 hits. In his debut season, Ciaramella excelled defensively in centerfield and notched the third-best batting average on the team of .345.
On the mound, Utah returns six pitchers who saw time last year. Though a young staff built mostly of sophomores and freshman, Esmay believes this group will get the job done. Sophomore Brady Martinez finished the year with a 2-1 record in 15 appearances, while fellow sophomore Clay Westmoreland posted a 1-0 record in 17 appearances. Junior Sean Overholt made 20 appearances for the Utes, which included four starts. Also making four starts, with 20 appearances, was sophomore Doug Mackay. Sophomore Jared Snyder will once again split time between the catcher and pitcher positions this season.
Included in a talented newcomer class, are Cort Wilson, Jason Price and Wick Udy. Wilson, a junior, is a tranfer shortstop from Hawaii, where he started 30 of the 31 games he played. The freshman Price threw three no hitters and recorded six shutouts during his career at Copper Hills High School in Utah. He compiled a career 1.62 ERA with 208 strikeouts and only one loss (16-1) during his three letter years. Udy transferred to Utah this season after playing at Oregon State, where he was a catcher. The Utah native hit .327 for the Beavers last year.
The mix of returning veterans and newcomers should make the Utes a competitive conference contender once again. They open play on Feb. 7 against Mesa State in Grand Junction, Colo. Utah opens conference play on March 14 against San Diego State in San Diego, Calif.
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