Feb. 9, 2002

The Dons redeemed a tough Friday night loss to UC Riverside (3-3) by defeating the Highlanders solidly in a 16-6 victory Saturday afternoon. USF (2-4) scored five or more runs in the second, fifth and sixth innings to win the second game in the three-game series in Riverside.

Riverside jumped on the board early with a run in the first inning to hold the lead for half an inning. The Dons then answered in the second with five runs and ended the short-lived Highlander lead. Senior outfielder Jason Howard singled to start the Dons inning and moved to second base when sophomore infielder Armand Gaerlan was hit by a pitch. A fielder's choice from freshman catcher Jimmy Milkovich landed him on first and Gaerlan out at second, Howard advanced to third. A single from sophomore infielder Nick Cirbo advanced Milkovich and scored Howard to tie the game at 1-1. Senior infielder Luke Gradishar was hit by a pitch to reach first and advance the runners. Junior outfielder Nick Tarbat followed with an RBI walk which scored Milkovich. Another RBI walk to freshman infielder Cy Donald scored Cirbo leaving the bases loaded with one out. Sophomore outfielder Joe Jacobitz singled to score Gradishar and Tarbat increasing the Dons' lead to 5-1, a lead that USF would never lose.

A three-run homerun in the fifth inning by Gaerlan increased the Dons' lead and dashed the Highlanders' hopes of regaining control of the game. Jacobitz finished the day 2-3 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI. Senior catcher Steve Booth finished hitting 3-4 scoring two runs, with a double in the sixth inning and two RBI. Cirbo went 2-2 on the day scoring two runs, knocking in three Dons and also hitting a double for USF.

Senior LHP Jeremy Kinney started on the mound for the Dons and pitched a solid six innings giving up only three runs off six hits walking only two Highlanders and striking out five. Senior RHP Steve Moses relieved Kinney in the seventh and pitched two innings to only no hits and only one run while retiring one Highlander. Junior RHP Kevin Annis finished the game for the Dons with one inning of work.

The Dons return to action Sunday afternoon for the final game of the three-game series with the Highlanders in Riverside. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 PM first pitch at the Riverside Sports Complex. The Dons then return home for a weekday game against San Jose State at Benedetti Diamond on Tuesday at 2:00 PM.