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Show fter finally getting their first Pac-12 win of the season last weekend, trip to Southern California awaits the Utes. Utah will travel to face the USC Trojans for a three-game set this weekend. The Utes are now 10-19 on the season and 1-11 in conference play, but that first win against the Wildcats last Friday has given players added confidence as they continue to push through the middle of their season. "A lot of guys would say, 'change this, change that,"' says junior pitcher Mitch Watrous. "Personally, I think we have got to keep doing it. Just keep going after it every single day." While the Utah offense broke out a bit against Arizona, that part of the game is still an area of concern. Despite that, senior Braden Anderson says playing well defensively is what will give the Utes a chance to beat USC this weekend. "From what I can remember from last year ... they can swing it pretty well;' he says. "We're going to have to find a way to stay up with them putting up runs. You know, playing well defensively:' Still, getting the bats going this weekend is a prime focus for head coach Bill Kinneberg as he looks forward to facing the Trojans as well as the rest of the season. He realizes that while his team finally has a conference vic- A tory, that doesn't automatically mean more are on their way. "Particularly on the offensive side, hitting is contagious, and we haven't done a good enough job there," he says. "We don't have anybody practically hot. We have got to get a couple guys hot and score some runs." Though Utah will have the challenge of playing on the road, USC doesn't pose the threat other teams in the Pac-12 do. The Trojans are just 4-8 in conference play, and despite boasting a solid pitching staff, good team speed, and some power, they sit in the middle of the conference in most major team statistical categories. The Utes feel they have turned a corner and gained momentum that they can use to help them come out on top. Watrous said the team is more confident about competing in the Conference of Champions so long as all the players bring their "A" game every day. "We can't let ourselves down;' he says. "We've got to keep high spirits and know that we're good enough to be in this league and we can finish high up:' The first game of the series is set to begin Friday at 7 p.m. MDT. Game two is Saturday at 3 p.m., and things will conclude Sunday with a tilt that is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. m The Great Basin Institute is Hiring for 2014 Field Season Great Basin Institute • • • • • Field tech positions in biology, botany, archaeology and others Recreation and Wilderness outreach and inventory Restoration, forestry and trail crews Many positions available. Competitive salaries. Hiring bonuses available. Short- and longer-term positions in NV, CA, ID, WY, AZ and UT Find career-building opportunities in the great outdoors! Details and applications at www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/employment |