March 3, 2002

Box Score

(San Francisco) - In the final game of a three-game series with Sacramento State (8-6), the Dons (5-11) jumped ahead early again with one run in the third. Junior centerfielder Nick Tarbat moved senior second baseman to third on a base hit putting Gradishar in scoring position with one wout. Freshman shortstop Cy Donald then scored Gradishar with an RBI single to left. The Dons' run was answered to in the fourth when the Hornets posted two runs to take the 2-1 lead over USF.

USF battled back in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead over Sacramento State. Tarbat led off the inning with a walk from Hornet pitcher Chris Kinsey. Donald then moved Tarbat with a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore left fielder Joe Jacobitz knocked in Tarbat with a single to left field to tie the score at 2-2. Senior designated hitter Steve Booth then scored Jacobitz off an RBI double to left to take the lead by one run.

The Dons were unable to hold the lead as the Hornet posted four runs in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead over the Dons and closed the game with another three runs in the eighth to take the 9-3 victory at home. The win went to Hornet right-hander Kinsey (2-1) who finished the day two-for-four at the plate with one run scored and three RBI for the Hornets. Kinsey pitched eight complete innings and gave up only seven hits and three runs while retiring eight Dons. The loss went to Dons' senior southpaw Jeremy Kinney (1-2). Freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Allred started the game for the Dons on the mound and pitched 4.1 innings giving up three hits and two runs. Kinney came in to relieve Allred in the fifth and was replaced by freshman right-hander T.J. Franco and then senior right-handed pitcher Steve Moses.

The Dons struggled offensively against the Hornets Sunday and were only able to combine for seven hits on the day with no Dons collecting more than one hit and were not able to capitalize on two Hornet errors on the day. USF was led by junior catcher Anthony Jimenez who finished the day one-for-three at the plate.

The Dons return to non-conference action Tuesday when they travel to play UC Davis for a 2:00 PM start time.