April 27, 2003

Box Score

(Moraga, CA) - USF's offense continued to swing the bats well, tallying 10 hits in the first three innings as they cruised to a 12-6 West Coast Conference victory against Saint Mary's Sunday at Louis Guisto Field. With the win, the Dons (19-26, 12-12 WCC) complete the series sweep of the Gaels (17-25-1, 7-13-1), who drops their 10th straight to San Francisco.

USF collected 17 base hits, one shy of their season-high set against Loyola Marymount in a 12-6 WCC victory March 21. The contest marked the fifth consecutive game the Dons have tallied more than 10 hits.

San Francisco erupted in the first, scoring four runs with two outs, three coming after junior Joe Jacobitz powered his fourth homerun of the season to deep right, scoring Cy Donald, who led things off in the inning with a double to left center, followed by walk issued to Jason Howard. Following Jacobitz's long ball, junior catcher Ryan Hanson singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Senior designated hitter Ryan Sittauer slapped an RBI single up the middle, plating Hanson.

USF added a pair in the second inning, freshman outfielder Jonnie Knoble and Donald earned walks to lead things off, with Knoble scoring on a fielder's choice from Howard. Hanson ripped an RBI single down the right field line to score Howard. The Dons' hit parade continued in the third. Sophomore infielder Royce Fukuroku led off with a single and senior outfielder Nick Tarbat was hit by a pitch. Gaerlan lined a two-out, two run double down the right field line and scored on an RBI single from Howard to give USF a 9-3 advantage.

Saint Mary's scored one run in the first and added a pair in the second. Trailing 12-3, the Gaels scored a run in the seventh and added two more in the ninth.

After going scoreless in the fourth USF scored two more in the fifth on an RBI single from Gaerlan and a sacrifice fly from Hanson. Senior pinch-hitter Alfonzo Valdez led off the sixth with a double to left center, followed by a two-out RBI single from freshman pinch-hitter Craig Click to make the score 12-3.

Gaerlan finished 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI, while Jacobitz ended his day 2-for-3 with three RBI. Hanson went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while Sittauer added a 2-for-5, double, RBI effort. Howard drove in a pair of runs on a 2-for-4 afternoon.

Junior right-handed starter Kevin Rose (4-6) picked up the win, allowing three runs (two earned) off five hits in 6.0 innings pitched. Rose struck out three and was aided by a pair of double plays turned by a strong USF defensive effort. Kevin Troche (1-4 suffered the loss and did not survive the first as the Gaels used

USF returns to action when they travel to Reno for a Tuesday showdown against Nevada in non-conference action. First pitch against the Wolf Pack is scheduled for 2:00 PM at Peccole Park