Feb. 28, 2003

Box Score

UC Riverside knocked out three homeruns and added seven extra-base hits and cruised to a 19-5 victory in the series opener of non-conference baseball against USF Friday at Benedetti Diamond. USF (4-9) could not muster enough pitching to slow down the hot-hitting Highlanders (12-3).

Junior infielder Nick Cirbo homered in his third consecutive game for USF, while six Diamond Dons collected at least two hits. USFs offense accounted for 15 hits on the afternoon.

Junior infielder Tony Festa enjoyed a big day for Riverside going 4-for-5 with three runs and a pair of RBI. Senior outfielder Brian Wahlbrink, junior catcher Jason Collete and sophomore outfielder Matt Cunningham all homered for the Highlanders. Cunningham finished 3-for-5 with six RBI.

Junior right-handed reliever Brian Hoff (2-1) earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing one run off five hits to go along with six strikeouts. Junior right-handed starter Kevin Rose (1-2) suffered the loss for the Diamond Dons, surrendering 10 runs off eight hits. Rose struck out two.

USF hosts UC Riverside in game two Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Benedetti Diamond.