From last to first: Utah baseball defying odds en route to record season, Pac-12 title hopes

SALT LAKE CITY — There were few believers in the Utah baseball program when the preseason poll was released in February — and for good reason.

The Utes were picked to finish 10th out of 11 teams, continuing a trend of down season after down season since the baseball team won the first men's championship at Utah in the Pac-12 era in 2016.

Outside of that championship season, though, the Utes have only one fifth-place finish (2016-17) and have finished no higher than 10th in the conference standings in their time in the Pac-12. So it wasn't too unrealistic of a prediction for Utah to finish near the bottom for another season.

But with the Pac-12 chapter coming to a close soon, it's the belief the team had in each other before the season started that has helped propel the Utes to the No. 1 spot in the conference and the first-ever top-25 ranking in program history with three conference series left to be played in the regular season.

And nobody on the team is taking that for granted.

"I think we can't be content with where we're at," said senior outfielder Kai Roberts, who has seen more downs than ups during his Utah career. "I mean, this is the best record Utah's had in — I don't even know how long — but just continuing to keep that chip on our shoulder and playing every game like it's our last, I think, will take us to the end."

Utes head coach Gary Henderson added: "It just validates the things that you sell to your kids and the program that you put together, and, again, the foundation that you lay. The personalities, attitudes, work ethic, how you construct a roster, it's just a little bit of validation. We've got some more games to play, but it is nice to be noticed."

Utah has been noticed, especially after a weekend sweep over an admittedly down UCLA club this season.

It's a team that currently ranks No. 25 in the D1Baseball Top 25 rankings and is a projected No. 3 seed in the Lexington region of the NCAA baseball postseason field. And with a 14-7 conference record (29-13 overall) and only one conference series loss — to preseason favorite Oregon State — the Utes are positioned well for another Pac-12 championship opportunity (and maybe more).

"Coming here as a freshman, we weren't very good," said Roberts, who prepped at Skyridge High and saw the program firsthand. "To see the program turn around like this has been one of my favorite baseball memories, and one of my favorite memories of my life."

So how did the Utes go from last to first in one season? Henderson credits "the foundation" he and the coaching staff built (to say nothing of the actual talent on the field).

"I think you have to have an idea of what you want to have as your foundation," Henderson said. "I think if you can get settled on that, that's the start. Then you start to look at the personalities and obviously the positions. You can't do it without catching, pitching and middle infield defense, but I think if you have a really clear idea of what it is you're trying to establish as the foundation of your program, that gives you a chance. And we feel like we've done a good job in that area."

Utah has a roster of veteran talent that serves the team well with its diverse hitting — Utah is not a power-hitting club but has effectively recorded multiple hits all season — and a bullpen that has the talent to start well and closeout the game with great defense.

It's not a roster of projected MLB top prospects or preseason All-Americans, and the team's facilities still pale in comparison to their Pac-12 counterparts — some of that will soon be changing with a new stadium and baseball facility — but it's a team that now has a connection with one another.

That connection, many players said, is one of the biggest differences this season as opposed to years past.

"In years past, our chemistry wasn't that good," left-handed starting pitcher Bryson Van Sickle said. "This year, our chemistry is really good. ... I think that our team just cares more this year. Maybe previous years it was more selfish. Now, it's for the team."

"I guess years past we haven't hung out as much off the field," outfielder TJ Clarkson said. "We kind of bond together off the field now. So, yeah, I think that's kind of clicking, too."

All of it has led to success on the field — program firsts type of success.

"I'm not speaking for just me, but I say, like, we're not gonna let that go to our head," Van Sickle said. "We're just going to keep pushing, try not to focus on that, just keep playing good baseball."

And try to keep the fuel burning after feeling like the team was overlooked in the preseason despite the talent on the roster.

Though Utah is having some of the best success the program has ever seen, the hope is that it will translate to more down the road. One good season doesn't instantly build a program, but it's a good stepping stone to have on the path to more success.

That success may be happening at a pivotal moment for the program, too. The university will soon upgrade its resources and the team will have a dedicated stadium and player area to call its own, which will undoubtedly help with recruiting and player connectedness.

The on-field success and the investment into the program is nothing but a positive for a Utah program hoping to maintain the momentum, Henderson said.

"I think anytime you have success, it helps, and it helps in every area," Henderson said. "Fundraising, recruiting, fans at the ballpark, improved facilities, I just think success breeds success. Again, you have to have a really clear idea of where you're going and what your direction is in order to get that done."

And at least for Roberts, Henderson is onto something in his fifth season as the head coach.

"I think it all lies on coach Henderson," Roberts said. "I think he's awesome with the guys and he gets us to play with that chip on our shoulder, and to be grateful for what we have here. It is awesome to play with that chip. I think it really comes from the top down."

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