Feb. 4, 2003

Box Score

(San Francisco) - USF baseball hosted Cal in the 2003 home opener Tuesday at Benedetti Diamond, dropping a hard-fought 5-4 decision in non-conference action. After trailing 5-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Diamond Dons (0-4) fought back with a pair of runs to close to within 5-4 of the Golden Bears (2-2), but could not come up with the key hits down the stretch.

Both teams did their offensive damage early. USF scored two runs in the bottom of the second after three singles by senior designated hitter Ryan Sittauer, senior outfielder Nick Tarbat, and junior catcher Ryan Hanson drove Sittauer home. Tarbat would score on a throwing error.

Cal answered back with three runs in the third, fueled by a two RBI double by junior outfielder Brian Horowitz and an RBI double from sophomore outfielder Justin Nelson. The Golden Bears would take on the game-winning run in the fourth.

USF came back in the fourth with a pair of unconventional runs. After a leadoff walk to sophomore infielder Cy Donald, freshman infielder Andrew Smith singled. Donald advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a balk. Sophomore pinch hitter Royce Fukuroku was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Then Tarbat was hit with the very next offering to plate Smith.

Relief pitching took over from there as Cal did not allow a base hit in the final five innings. USF relief pitching was also outstanding. Sophomore right-hander T.J. Franco went 5.1 innings allowing no runs off just one hit and recorded five strikeouts.

USF left-handed starter junior Brian Borgmann (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing four runs off six hits. Cal reliever sophomore right-hander Matt Swanson earned the win, allowing a pair of runs off three hits, but struck out six.

Hanson finished his day 2-for-4 with an RBI. Tarbat also added an RBI and stole a base for the Dons.

Horowitz had a big day for Cal finishing 2-for-5 with a double, a solo homerun (3) in the first and three RBI. Sophomore infielder David Nicholson went 3-for-5 on the day with three stolen bases.

USF returns to action when they host Sonoma State Tuesday Feb. 11. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM at Benedetti Diamond.