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Diamond Dons Fall to UC Riverside 8-5
March 19, 2010
(Riverside, CA) - San Francisco chipped away at an early UC Riverside lead, but fell 8-5 to the Highlanders on Friday at Riverside Sports Complex. The Dons fall to 10-9, while UCR improves to 8-5.
Riverside jumped to a 4-0 lead after three in the first and one in the second. USF cut it to 4-1 in the third. With one out, junior right fielder Connor Bernatz smacked a huge high-hopper over the mound, leaving no chance for Highlanders shortstop Trevor Hairgrove to throw him out at first. Sophomore designated hitter Matt Chavez singled, pushing Bernatz to third. Junior center fielder Pete Lavin then lofted a sacrifice fly to left, plating Bernatz.
But the Highlanders stretched the lead to 8-1 by scoring four in the fourth. The Dons began chipping away in the fifth. Bernatz walked and Chavez singled to put runners on first and second. Lavin singled down the left field line, scoring Bernatz and Chavez scored after a fielding error by left fielder Michael Hur. USF then made it 8-4 in the sixth on an RBI groundout by freshman left fielder Jared Denham.
The Dons rallied for another run in the ninth, but couldn't come all the way back. Bernatz singled and stole second before Lavin hit an RBI single to center.
Senior right-hander Doug Murray (2-3) took the loss, allowing eight runs (seven earned) off nine hits and two walks, and added three strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Sophomore right-hander Matt Andriese (2-1) earned the win, giving up four runs (two earned) off six hits and a walk, and struck out four in 8.0 innings. Junior right-hander Derek Speigner (1) earned his first save, facing one batter in the ninth.
Lavin had two singles and drove in three. Bernatz also singled twice, scored three runs, and stole a base. Chavez went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Rounding out the Dons eight hits were senior catcher Ryan Lipkin and sophomore first baseman Nik Balog, who each singled.
USF continues the weekend series with Riverside tomorrow. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM.
