| OCR Text |
Show i i August The Daily Utah Chronicle S6 20G3 D Slugg ers look to make dent in conference Chris Bellamy Sports Editor Chronic Not much time has passed since the close of Utah's baseball season. A 6 loss to the BYU Cougars the Utes" seventh consecutive loss to their rivals wrapped up a 7-- lackluster campaign that saw the team drop seven straight at one point, and sink near the bottom of the 24-3- 2 Mountain West standings. Now. two months later, there have already been plenty of changes to both the roster and the coaching staff. It just remains to be seen whether those ccanges will turn out for the better. First and foremost, the team took a hit to its bullpen when Brady Martinez, the Utes' most reliable weapon out of the bullpen last season. announced he would be leaving the program for two years to serve an LDS mission. Matt Anderson, who hit .269 in 67 last season, ts announced he would be doing the same. Meanwhile, pitching coach John Flores resigned from his post after a difficult season. In early June, three Utes including two incoming recruits were selected in the major league draft The offseason losses, along with the annual graduation turnover, left head coach Tim Esmay with a big job on his hands. Esmay has brought in 10 newcomers to the team so far, including five transfer students and five straight out of high school. One who could particularly help the Utes on the mound A swing and a miss: Lake Salt former Community College hurler Shad McCord, who spent one season with the Bruins, finishing with a blistering 0.44 ERA to finish second in the conference. The team also hopes a change of direction from a coaching standpoint can pay immediate dividends. Esmay replaced Flores with veteran coach Bryan Conger, who comes to the Utes after a year as the Cloud Country Community College head baseball coach in Concordia, is Mountain West Offense Comparison 2003 TEAM AVG. G New Mexico .345 .330 60 54 54 64 56 BYU .327 .324 Air Force UNLV .308 .298 UTAH San Diego State best in conference R H HR RBI 2272 594 1981 466 394 7B4 653 623 742 93 65 63 85 544 428 594 654 63 36 AB 61 1906 2290 58 8 1928 2193 346 402 SLG OBP K BB TB .564 1281 .423 .399 384 322 234 204 .388 385 153 529 .529 .520 .522 .417 362 .490 .368 328 275 150 1195 319 372 .432 .378 410 231 947 361 Kan. Though statistically the Utes had far from the worst pitching staff in the conference, there is still a dire need for improvement on the mound if they expect to compete with the top teams in the Mountain West The loss of Martinez makes the need for improved pitching all the more important But, of course, Utah's struggles last season certainly weren't limited to poor pitch- BASEBALL SEE Projected Lineup 1047 992 y "''""'N Cia'"ame"a 944 Nt i 2B Pena SS Ktioury L.1' 1 UBWestfall 3B C.Wilson p Westmoreland Prayer Sanctuary Sharing Service Worship A Safe Place !DH Sundberg' friendship Support Community PAGE S9 i C J y f Schliemanl Celebration to Ask Questions 3 A fTheO their I anc? 1 P 1 ndteLevers to explore, afTirm, questif c The Center hosts rgran r i :. Jations. For infonnatic.' ' D. opment &c Ren al at S t jc 3w , the Lutheran Campus is a place for set and their spirit its and welcomes fs 11 1 The Center f Cheryl Moore at " . , deepen and ct'.l rrte related issues and 2itj nter or 'its programs Cha- -' ' rpist 1 . o a 1 The Center for Spirl Outfielder Eric Chevalier hit a of I team-hig- h .371 for the Utes in 'C3. ABXAEOTHIOKAMNOnePSTY B X J) 11 UA JJO Some members of tke Etaff would like X Looking for men and women interesteed in friendship, H ittrnetnitt Ccr AttJ(BU5 801-581-80- 61, mem k wociteo P ! cs I 25-- 2 I i MNOnePSTYgQByZ'ABX t " ... ride because of you. Tkank you. UofUrecruitment2003hotmail.com . one more for tke ages. For more information: Visit Rm 270 in the Union, or I to say tkanks to Lance for 5 great tours. ..and maybe leadership opportunities, scholarship & service. If you have ever considered joining a fraternity or sorority, now is your chance! 0 1a. e i ! |
