April 9, 2004

Box Score

(San Francisco) - USF scored first, but Gonzaga used a seven-run outburst in the second inning to seize control en route to a 16-9 West Coast Conference baseball victory Friday at Benedetti Diamond. The Diamond Dons (14-19, 4-6 WCC) managed 17 base hits, but the Bulldogs (11-19, 5-5 WCC) collected 20, including six doubles and a triple to win the series opener.

Senior outfielder Joe Jacobitz hammered a three-run blast to deep right field in the seventh inning for his third homerun of the season. Jacobitz finished 4-for-5 with three RBI and scored twice for San Francisco. Senior infielder Craig Click went 4-for-6 with a double and three RBI. Senior shortstop Armand Gaerlan went 3-for-5 for the Diamond Dons.

It was a great day to be a hitter as the two teams combined for 25 runs off 37 base hits. Every Bulldog in the lineup managed at least one base hit and only two Diamond Don starters failed to record at least a single. USF senior right-hander Kevin Rose (4-4) was roughed up for 10 runs off 11 hits and struck out four in 4.0 innings of work. Junior right-hander Eric Dworkis (5-2) picked up the win for Gonzaga, allowing eight runs off 15 hits and struck out five in 6.1 innings.

After their seven run outburst in the second, USF responded with a pair off runs to pull within four, 7-3 in the fourth. The Bulldogs promptly pounded out three more runs in the fifth and tacked on four more in the seventh to take a commanding 14-3 lead. San Francisco rallied for five-runs in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to six runs, 14-8, but the Zags added two more in the top of the ninth.

Senior outfielder Chris Sinner, senior designated hitter Marshall Bratton each went 2-for-5 with three RBI for Gonzaga, while sophomore infielder Bobby Carlson went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI.

USF looks to rebound when the host the Bulldogs in a Saturday doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 11:00 AM at Benedetti Diamond. Senior left-hander Derek Tate is slated to start for the Diamond Dons.