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Show 8 MORIN continued from Page 6 quickly found that Morin was the guy. "We were in need of another catcher, because one is not enough," Kinneberg said. "We also needed another lefthanded bat in our lineup, and Parker fit that mold very well." Morin is more than just some guy to throw behind the plate for the second game of a doubleheader, however. His track record suggests that he will be a star for the Utes. At Park City, Morin was a three-time all-state player. As a junior, he posted a staggering .525 batting average. Despite his high school success, the transition from the high school level to the junior college level was more drastic than Morin expected. "[Hitting] was the biggest jump," Morin said. "Going from a 3A school to junior college was an eye-opener." As a freshman at Southern Idaho, Morin hit .252 and was an all-conference honorable mention player. In his sophomore season, he was second in the conference in hits with 71, and he batted .372, which was fourth best in the conference. That performance earned Morin first team all-conference honors. Now Morin has made the jump to the Pac-12, traditionally one of the top conferences nationally, and hasn't missed a beat. "At every level I go up, the game seems to get faster, but things have gone well so far," Morin said. "My coaches and teammates have made the transition easy." In his first season with Utah, Morin has the highest batting average on the team at .314. He has also driven in io runs, which is a tie with the team lead. Kinneberg said Morin's frame of mind is the biggest reason for his success. "Everybody transitions differently, and he is doing it quicker than most because his work ethic is second to none," Kinneberg said. "His dedication and his focus have impressed me more than anything else." Morin said it comes down to being ready for whatever situation he finds himself in. That attitude is the reason why he became a catcher to begin with. Blocking balls and throwing out would-be base stealers was not always Morin's job description. He grew up in Texas and occasionally played catcher while he was a Little Leaguer there. Gradually, though, he drifted to other DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE positions on the diamond. Things changed for Morin when he was in seventh grade and his family pulled up its roots and moved to Utah. While his family discovered its new home in the mountains of Park City, Morin discovered his second home behind the plate. "When we made the move to Utah, the team I played on needed a catcher," Morin said. "It had been a while, but I liked it growing up. It was available, so I took it. That is something I have lived by. I have to work as hard as I can so that I give myself every possible opportunity." The Utes are glad Morin jumped at the opportunity to return to catching. Kinneberg said Morin has done a great job of gelling with the pitching staff, and he is already building a good rapport with each of them. Kinneberg also said he isn't surprised by the early success Morin has had. "He is doing a great job for us," Kinneberg said. "He has the potential to be a fantastic college catcher. We expect him to be an outstanding hitter in the middle of our lineup during his career here." Like Morin, the Utes as a team are starting to find their groove. Utah started the season 2-10, but it has won four of its past six games, including taking two out of three from No. 21 USC on the road last weekend. Morin entered Wednesday's game riding a five-game hitting streak, which helped to spark the Utah offense. "We started a little slow, but we are figuring it out now," Morin said. "The energy in the dugout wasn't really where it needed to be, but it is there now We are doing a better job mentally more than anything else." Mental toughness and confidence are not always the difference between wins and losses, but they can be. As Utah gets into the meat of the Pac-12 schedule, it will need any edge it can get its hands on. With five teams in the conference ranked in the Top 25, no game will be a picnic. It is impossible to know what the mental outlook and approach of every player is. If Morin represents the Utes, then they are in good shape. "It is all about being comfortable," Morin said. "If you can feel comfortable, then you will be in a good place. For me, that comes from work. The harder I work, the more confident I am. If I do everything I can, things will go my way and will work out for the best." p.lee@ chronicle.utah.edu Thursday, March 22, 2012 10 mile 4440 14,1 414 44 4 III 1 - 114 ;Opp ro o d o l 1141 4 4% % 44 4% % 14 4040%100 11 14444.4100% t% % 4/1044,4444%..4.4%111% h4 44411 111.411 P1.444,, 4114.44 414' 444%4 1114411 44144 4 1144 014,k 11• 1144114 ■ 144 .411 411111 11411 311411,-..441INIA414. 1% % 11 1,17, 4 %,; %,, Ir ■ 04 201 E 300 S j 801-519-8900 www.tavernacle.com \CLI6,4Fi 1(Ped Deals for food, entertain ment and everything else for students, faculty and staff at theUniversity of Utah POWERBALL KARAOKE Arrive early for your chance at cash drawings just for singing! War/teal.* - 5 DUELING PIANOS Sceadeif Go to www.UtahCampusDeals.com and sign up today to get $10 in Deal Bucks! KARAOKE Tell us where you want deals from - email ads@utah.edu BRINGTHIS AD IN ANV NIGHT FOR FREE COVER |