Just about everything has started to gel for the U baseball team, as it has won four games in a row now to improve to 12-8, and is completely demolishing the competition. Even though Utah was facing a team last weekend that had only won one game (Southern Utah), many of the things U coach Tim Esmay wanted to happen, did happen.
Knocking the Ball to Pieces
It always takes time for a team to get its timing down in order to hit the ball extremely well. That time has now passed as the Utes put up 38 runs in two games against Southern Utah. The leading hitters were expected to be Nate Weese and Adam Castleton, and neither has disappointed.
Weese is leading the team with a batting average of .359, has hit 5 home runs, and has knocked in 19 runs. Castleton is hitting .351, has hit 4 home runs and 16 RBI.
There was no question that these two would get the job done, but now others are stepping up as well.
Brit Pannier, who was named Mountain West Player of the Week a few weeks ago, is playing very well with a .295 average and 18 RBI. Mike Basham, who is hitting .262, played well against Southern Utah, in one game going 6-for 6 with 4 RBI and 4 runs scored.
The hitting has come together for the Utes, and now they will have to see if it will hold up during their conference opener with New Mexico.
Mowing Them Down
Cheyenne Rushton is playing like the best pitcher on the Utes. He has an undefeated record of 3-0 and has owned Southern Utah. His first outing against SUU resulted in him winning the Mountain West Pitcher of the Week. He has an ERA of 3.18 and shut down the T-Birds again this weekend.
The other parts of the staff are still up in the air. Ace pitcher Jason Wylie has been shelled early, and against Southern Utah, had to be pulled after the third inning. He has an ERA of 4.62.
The player with the top ERA on the team is starter/reliever Mitch Maio, at 2.66. His only start of the year resulted in a great performance in which he pitched a complete game.
Ready for the
Conference Season?
The competition the Utes have faced has been average, but still may give them enough experience to take them through the conference season.
The series against Cal Poly and Arizona should have taught the Utes how to play the top competition. Although the Mountain West Conference does not feature many top teams, the Utes most certainly need an edge going into the conference season.
Teams like Southern Utah will only help the team get its timing down, but the one win that the Thunderbirds have does not give the Utes much to work with in terms of quality opposition.
Utah will start the conference slate with a series against New Mexico on Friday, and will attempt to extend its overall winning streak, as well as its series winning streak, in the conference opener.