Utah infielder Cal Miller (25) celebrates as outfielder Jet Gilliam (53) scores on a two-RBI single by infielder Matt Flaharty (2), not pictured, during the fifth inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
By Bruce Smith

It was a great night for baseball for the Utah Utes Friday.

That’s a somewhat rare statement for an early March game, but the Utes celebrated the opening of their new stadium — Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark — and routed Grand Canyon 9-0 in a game wherein nearly everything went right for the home team.

Colter McAnelly gave up just two hits over six innings, Cal Miller smacked a two-run double and Derek Smith added a two-run homer as Utah impressed 1,323 fans who braved 40-degree weather at the new facility on the south side of campus.

“It’s good for (the team) and good for the people who did all the planning for this stadium,” said Utah coach Gary Henderson. “Now, it’s not like we’re playing at someone else’s house.”

Photo Gallery: 1 of 43
1 of 43
A play unfolds during the first inning of the game between Utah and Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 2 of 43
2 of 43
Fans enter the stadium for before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon for the first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 3 of 43
3 of 43
Fans get a free commemorative baseball as they enter the stadium for before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon for the first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 4 of 43
4 of 43
Players warm up before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon for Utah’s first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 5 of 43
5 of 43
Players warm up before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon for Utah’s first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 6 of 43
6 of 43
People visit the food truck corner before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon for Utah’s first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 7 of 43
7 of 43
Grand Canyon pitcher Garrett Ahern (32) pitches during the first inning of the game against Utah at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 8 of 43
8 of 43
A play unfolds during the third inning of the game between Utah and Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 9 of 43
9 of 43
Utah infielder Nevan Noonan (5) throws to first during the second inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 10 of 43
10 of 43
Utah infielder Cameron Gurney (18) grounds out during the third inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 11 of 43
11 of 43
Utah infielder Daniel Arambula (21) bunts during the fifth inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 12 of 43
12 of 43
Snow caps the Wasatch before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon as Utah plays their first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 13 of 43
13 of 43
Fans enter the stadium before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon for the first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 14 of 43
14 of 43
Fans find their seats before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon as Utah plays their first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 15 of 43
15 of 43
Utah head coach Gary Henderson looks on before the game against Grand Canyon as Utah plays their first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 16 of 43
16 of 43
Brett Greenwell, America First Credit Union VP of member and partner relations, throws the ceremonial first pitch before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon as Utah plays their first game at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 17 of 43
17 of 43
Players line up for the national anthem before the game between Utah and Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 18 of 43
18 of 43
Utah players walk onto the field for the national anthem before the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 19 of 43
19 of 43
Utah infielder Matt Flaharty (2) celebrates after hitting a single during the first inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. The single was the first hit at the new ballpark. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 20 of 43
20 of 43
Utah infielder Matt Flaharty (2) and infielder Daniel Arambula (21) charge a ground ball during the first inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 21 of 43
21 of 43
Utah pitcher Colter McAnelly (1) pitches during the second inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 22 of 43
22 of 43
Utah pitcher Colter McAnelly (1) celebrates after recording the last out of the second inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 23 of 43
23 of 43
Utah players run to the third base foul pole between innings to stay warm during the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 24 of 43
24 of 43
A play unfolds during the third inning of the game between Utah and Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 25 of 43
25 of 43
Utah infielder Daniel Arambula (21) celebrates with Utah infielder Nevan Noonan (5) after scoring during the third inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 26 of 43
26 of 43
A play unfolds during the third inning of the game between Utah and Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 27 of 43
27 of 43
Utah outfielder Luke Jacobs (24) scores on a singe by infielder Cameron Gurney (18) during the fifth inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 28 of 43
28 of 43
Utah outfielder Luke Jacobs (24) celebrates after hitting a double during the fifth inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 29 of 43
29 of 43
Utah infielder Cal Miller (25) celebrates after hitting a two-RBI double during the fifth inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 30 of 43
30 of 43
Grand Canyon pitcher Jace Smith (26) pitches during the fifth inning against Utah at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 31 of 43
31 of 43
Utah infielder Cal Miller (25) celebrates as outfielder Jet Gilliam (53) scores on a two-RBI single by infielder Matt Flaharty (2), not pictured, during the fifth inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 32 of 43
32 of 43
Utah infielder Matt Flaharty (2) steals second base during the fifth inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 33 of 43
33 of 43
Utah pitcher Colter McAnelly (1) pitches during the sixth inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 34 of 43
34 of 43
Utah players keep warm in the dugout during the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 35 of 43
35 of 43
Utah infielder Cameron Gurney (18) celebrates after hitting a double during the sixth inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 36 of 43
36 of 43
Utah pitcher Colter McAnelly (1) celebrates after the final out of the sixth inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 37 of 43
37 of 43
Grand Canyon players warm their hands during the eighth inning of the game against Utah at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 38 of 43
38 of 43
Utah pitcher Dillon Fine (38) pitches during the eighth inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 39 of 43
39 of 43
Grand Canyon center fielder Griffin Cameron (15) catches a fly ball during the eighth inning against Utah at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 40 of 43
40 of 43
Utah players warm their hands during the eighth inning of the game against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 41 of 43
41 of 43
Utah pitcher Ian Culver (28) enters to pitch the ninth inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 42 of 43
42 of 43
Utah pitcher Ian Culver (28) pitches during the eighth inning against Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 43 of 43
43 of 43
Utah pitcher Ian Culver (28) celebrates after recording the final out of the game in a 9-0 win over Grand Canyon at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 6, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

The Utes had long played their home games at Smith’s Ballpark. Until recently, that had mostly been known as the home of Salt Lake’s Triple-A baseball affiliate but since minor league baseball doesn’t begin until early April, the Utes worked out a deal to share the facility for their spring season.

“It was big … monstrous,” recalled Miller of Smith’s Ballpark. “This new place is like the fans are right on top of us and you can really feel their excitement.”

McAnelly said he felt it, too, immediately after the national anthem. He felt so inspired he struck out Grand Canyon’s leadoff hitter – Jake Sanko – on three pitches.

In addition to giving up just the two hits, McAnelly struck out nine and allowed only six baserunners.

McAnelly was replaced by Dillon Fine for two innings, and Ian Culter finished the evening without any troubles. Their stress level was limited because the Utes took a 1-0 lead in the third inning and got the crowd into a good mood with six runs in the fifth.

Cameron Gurney hit a run-scoring single to start the excitement, then Miller’s double plated Gurney and Jake Long and Matt Flaherty added another big hit with a two-run single.

Smith put the capper on night when he roped a two-run homer in the eighth inning over the right-center field fence that also scored Jet Gilliam.

Smith and McAnelly were among the player favorites accepting congratulations afterward from the couple hundred fans who still remained.

Smith said it was fun to play at home after starting the season on a three-week road trip to warm-weather cities in California. The Utes finished that opening stretch with a 5-5 record and hope their new field gives them a much better home advantage.

View Comments

“That would be nice,” Henderson said. “We want to enjoy playing at home and we want the fans to want to come and watch us play.”

Friday’s game was the first of a four-game series against Grand Canyon. All told, Utah is scheduled to play 12 home games this month, including March 24 against BYU.

There are seven more home games set for April and five in May.

Of course the local weather conditions might cause changes, but Utah officials said the field’s artificial surface has already proven it can soak up rain, and crews were able to clear a couple inches of snow earlier Friday and play ball shortly afterward.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.