From Utah Athletics:
Utah Baseball Opens 2015 Campaign Against Sacramento State
Probable Starters
Friday: Utah's Bret Helton (Jr./RHP) vs. Sacramento State's Brennan Leitao (Sr./RHP)
Saturday: Utah's Brock Duke (Sr./RHP) vs. Sacramento State's Sam Long (So./LHP)
Sunday: Utah's Jayson Rose (Fr./RHP) vs. Sacramento State's Ty Nichols (Sr./RHP)
Monday: Utah TBA vs. Sacramento State's Anthony Castaneda (Fr./RHP)
Live Stats: http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=sac
Audio: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/csus/
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah baseball team opens its 2015 campaign with a four-game series at Sacramento State, beginning on Friday, Feb. 13, at 2:00 p.m. PT. The series continues on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1:00 p.m. PT, Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1:00 p.m. PT and Monday, Feb. 16, at 11:00 a.m. PT.
"The spring has been outstanding, particularly because of the weather," Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg said. "We've been outside the last three weeks, and I think we're more game ready than we've ever been this early in the season. We've had seven scrimmages outdoors, and we feel like we're really further ahead than we've ever been. As a group we're just looking to get out and play, and play against somebody else, and tee it up four times and see where we land. As a group I think we're ready to go, both physically and mentally. This will be the first time in a lot of years that we are healthy going into our first game, so that's a positive sign for us. It will be good to put the uniforms on and play against somebody else. We're playing a very good team this weekend in Sacramento State, and this will be a huge test for us."
Although the Utes have just two seniors on the roster, the team returns significant starting experience at every position on the field. Kody Davis (shortstop) and Wyler Smith (outfield) started every game last year. Other key fielders include Cody Scaggari (shortstop), Dallas Carroll (third base), AJ Young (catcher), Josh Rose (outfield) and Max Schuman (designated hitter).
The Utes will start junior Bret Helton on the mound in their first game, with senior Brock Duke starting on Saturday followed by Jayson Rose on Sunday. Monday's starter is to be determined. Helton pitched in 17 games last year with eight starts, while Duke is returning from a nearly two-year absence after having Tommy John surgery. Other returning pitchers who look to be heavily counted on include Dalton Carroll and Dylan Drachler, with several freshmen looking to step into roles as well.
"This weekend we'll be looking to get our feet wet, making sure our guys are under control and working the mental game and getting their at-bats, and trying to win a ball game," Kinneberg said. "We still don't have all of our roles defined as of yet, we'll work through those the first four weeks of the season. Hopefully that will be solidified before we get into conference."
Sacramento State is coming off a 40-win season and won the Western Athletic Conference and made a Regional appearance last year. The Hornets are led by Brennan Leito, who was selected as a preseason All-American pitcher.
Utah Baseball Opens 2015 Campaign Against Sacramento State
Probable Starters
Friday: Utah's Bret Helton (Jr./RHP) vs. Sacramento State's Brennan Leitao (Sr./RHP)
Saturday: Utah's Brock Duke (Sr./RHP) vs. Sacramento State's Sam Long (So./LHP)
Sunday: Utah's Jayson Rose (Fr./RHP) vs. Sacramento State's Ty Nichols (Sr./RHP)
Monday: Utah TBA vs. Sacramento State's Anthony Castaneda (Fr./RHP)
Live Stats: http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=sac
Audio: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/csus/
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah baseball team opens its 2015 campaign with a four-game series at Sacramento State, beginning on Friday, Feb. 13, at 2:00 p.m. PT. The series continues on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1:00 p.m. PT, Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1:00 p.m. PT and Monday, Feb. 16, at 11:00 a.m. PT.
"The spring has been outstanding, particularly because of the weather," Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg said. "We've been outside the last three weeks, and I think we're more game ready than we've ever been this early in the season. We've had seven scrimmages outdoors, and we feel like we're really further ahead than we've ever been. As a group we're just looking to get out and play, and play against somebody else, and tee it up four times and see where we land. As a group I think we're ready to go, both physically and mentally. This will be the first time in a lot of years that we are healthy going into our first game, so that's a positive sign for us. It will be good to put the uniforms on and play against somebody else. We're playing a very good team this weekend in Sacramento State, and this will be a huge test for us."
Although the Utes have just two seniors on the roster, the team returns significant starting experience at every position on the field. Kody Davis (shortstop) and Wyler Smith (outfield) started every game last year. Other key fielders include Cody Scaggari (shortstop), Dallas Carroll (third base), AJ Young (catcher), Josh Rose (outfield) and Max Schuman (designated hitter).
The Utes will start junior Bret Helton on the mound in their first game, with senior Brock Duke starting on Saturday followed by Jayson Rose on Sunday. Monday's starter is to be determined. Helton pitched in 17 games last year with eight starts, while Duke is returning from a nearly two-year absence after having Tommy John surgery. Other returning pitchers who look to be heavily counted on include Dalton Carroll and Dylan Drachler, with several freshmen looking to step into roles as well.
"This weekend we'll be looking to get our feet wet, making sure our guys are under control and working the mental game and getting their at-bats, and trying to win a ball game," Kinneberg said. "We still don't have all of our roles defined as of yet, we'll work through those the first four weeks of the season. Hopefully that will be solidified before we get into conference."
Sacramento State is coming off a 40-win season and won the Western Athletic Conference and made a Regional appearance last year. The Hornets are led by Brennan Leito, who was selected as a preseason All-American pitcher.
