Nathan Utt’s career at Missouri Baptist began with modest aspirations of one day getting a chance to contribute. By the time it concluded, the Warrenton native had logged a cross-country adventure …
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Patience Paid Off for Nathan Utt
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
Nathan Utt’s career at Missouri Baptist began with modest aspirations of one day getting a chance to contribute.By the time it concluded, the Warrenton native had logged a cross-country adventure to compete in baseball’s most coveted event.Utt never envisioned an opportunity to pitch in the NAIA World Series, but it became a reality during his final semester of college. A memorable road trip to Idaho was the final leg of his journey.“It was awesome to end my senior year like that and be able to get on the mound a lot more,” acknowledged Utt. “Being a part of the program for five years, I sat and watched a lot of games and went after a lot of foul balls.”He had paid his dues, but an injury to a teammate would provide Utt the chance of a lifetime.As a junior, he had been a mid-week starter, not carrying considerable responsibility.“I was assuming I would do the same thing this year,” recalled Utt, regarding his senior season.But when the third pitcher in the starting rotation was forced to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, Utt was called up.“I came in and pitched five scoreless innings,” said Utt.“From that day on, every weekend he started a conference game for us,” recalled Coach Eddie Uschold. “When he threw strikes, he got people out.”He finished the season with a 2.93 ERA through 43 innings, going 4-0 as a starter in league play. Utt struck out 26 batters and walked 15.“Nathan was able to repeat his mechanics more often as he got older,” said Uschold. “He got more command of his fastball.”The Trojans were riding high halfway through the season, enjoying an 18-game winning streak. Utt kept his numbers solid as his innings increased.“His temperament is what allowed him to persevere,” explained Uschold. “He was really relaxed and started trusting his teammates. He’s such a mature young man that knows how to handle himself on the mound.”Not until Missouri Baptist faced unfamiliar Lyon College was their confidence shaken. The American Midwest Conference newcomer took three in a row from the Trojans.“We got humbled that weekend,” recalled Utt.Missouri Baptist finished the season strong, though, winning eight of their next nine prior to the AMC Tournament. The Trojans entered the National Tournament as a third seed.“We went there with high expectations,” acknowledged Utt.After upsetting second-seeded Point Park, the Trojans fell to Tennessee Wesleyan.“We knew we’d have to go through the long way with double elimination,” said Utt.He helped his team advance by tossing three innings in a victory against Benedictine-Sprinfield. A pair of wins of Tennessee Wesleyan ultimately sealed the Trojans fate.“We dog-piled on the mound once we knew we were going to the World Series,” said Utt. “It was huge for our program and very exciting to be a part of.”He was privileged to pitch the fifth and sixth innings against Rogers State, giving up one run on a nerve-wracking stage.“In the World Series, he kept us close and we came back and won the game in the last inning,” said Uschold.“The stadium was by the far the biggest I’ve ever played in,” said Utt. “It was a really awesome atmosphere to get out in front of the crowd.”Missouri Baptist lost to eventual champion Faulkner State, but the experience wasn’t hindered by defeat.“We weren’t hanging our heads or really disappointed,” said Utt. “We realized how much we had accomplished.”After all, a college baseball career nearly became a lost hope for Houston, Texas-bound graduate.“I knew I wanted to play baseball coming out of college, but it was a late process signing at MoBap,” remembers Utt. “ ... It was a great experience, going to the World Series. I wouldn’t have wanted to end my senior year any other way.”Utt graduated Cum Laude with a bachelors degree in secondary education and history.“He’s an awesome young man, who will do really well,” said Uschold. “He’s been an incredible example of what we want a Missouri Baptist player to be, on and off the field.”
Warrenton native Nathan Utt helped guide Missouri Baptist to the NAIA World Series.
