April 16, 2002

Box Score

An RBI double from sophomore outfielder Joe Jacobitz capped a fifth-inning ninth inning rally as USF rallied from a 8-4 deficit for a thrilling 9-8 victory against San Francisco State Tuesday in non-conference baseball action at Benedetti Diamond. Things looked rugged for the Dons (10-31) for the first seven innings, as it appeared the Gators (17-31), would defeat their cross-town rivals for the first time since 1990.

San Francisco State punished USF pitching early for a pair of runs in the fourth through seventh innings to take an 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth. Junior right-handed pitcher Zach Brooks did a terrific job out of the USF bullpen, shutting down the SFSU offense, allowing just one hit in three innings of work to keep the Dons close.

Senior infielder Luke Gradishar slapped an RBI single in the eighth, scoring sophomore infielder Nick Cirbo, who singled to lead off the inning. Following a pitching change, sophomore Armand Gaerlan's sacrifice fly made the score 8-4 heading into an explosive ninth inning.

Junior infielder Alfonso Valdez hit a leadoff single, followed by a four-pitch walk to senior designated hitter Steve Booth. Freshman outfielder Royce Fukuroku hit a single up the middle to load the bases for Cirbo, who powered a two RBI double. Freshman infielder Cy Donald smashed another two RBI double to tie the contest at 8-8, setting the stage for Jacobitz's game-winner.

Brooks (2-0) earned the win, pitching 3.0 innings of scoreless relief to go along with three strikeouts. Conor Bird (1-3) suffered the loss for the Gators allowing five runs off four hits.

Leading the way for San Francisco offensively was Gradishar, who finished 3-for-5 with an RBI, while Cirbo, Fukuroku, Jacobitz, Valdez and junior outfielder Ryan Sittauer all collected a pair of base hits for the Dons. Gaerlan collected a pair of RBI on sacrifice flies, while Cirbo and Donald also drove in two for USF.

San Francisco returns to action when they travel to Malibu for a West Coast Conference series against the Waves. Game time for the opener is scheduled for 3:00 at Eddy D. Field Stadium.