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USF Falls 6-5 as San Diego Comes from Behind for WCC Baseball Victory
May 1, 2004
(San Francisco) - USF took a 5-3 lead heading into the ninth, but San Diego scored three runs in the top of the frame and freshman closer Nate Boman took it from there as USD took a 6-5 West Coast Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond. San Francisco (21-26, 8-11 WCC) out-hit the Toreros (28-19, 14-9 WCC) for the second straight day 11-10, but stranded 13 base-runners.
Senior catcher Nick Cirbo powered his fifth homerun of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth. Sophomore outfielder Jonnie Knoble went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI, senior designated hitter Joe Jacobitz went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks. Junior infielder Cy Donald went 2-for-4 with a walk.
USF scored first in the third inning putting together a one-run two out rally. Donald singled and scored on Knoble's first double to right field. USD would take a 2-1 lead with two runs in the fourth. Senior outfielder Josh Hansen singled and advanced to third on a single by freshman catcher Jordan Abruzzo. Junior infielder Randy Curtis drove in Hansen on a single to tie the contest. San Diego took the lead on an RBI single from senior infielder Joey Prast.
San Francisco responded immediately in the bottom of the fourth. Jacobitz reached on leadoff single and then Cirbo homered to deep left to take a 3-2 lead. It would not last long as the Toreros struck for a run in the fifth, tying the score on a solo homerun to deep left center from freshman infielder Keoni Ruth.
Neither team would score until San Francisco plated two more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Cirbo was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a sacrifice from senior outfielder Craig Click. Junior infielder Royce Fukuroku walked with one out. Knoble's second double of the day scored Cirbo. Senior shortstop Armand Gaerlan was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Senior infielder Chris Genung drew a walk scoring Fukuroku staking the Diamond Dons to a 5-3 lead.
In the top of the ninth, Hansen reached on a two base error to leadoff the inning. Abruzzo then cleared the bases with a two-run homer to tie the contest at 5-5. San Diego loaded the bases with one out and scored the winning run on a bases loaded walk.
Senior left-hander Derek Tate (3-7) suffers the loss allowing six runs (five earned) off nine base hits and struck out three in 8.1 innings. Senior right-handed reliever Pat Lucy (3-0) earned the win for San Diego. It was an adventure as he allowed two runs off two hits, struck out two, but walked three and hit three in 3.1 innings. Boman collects his sixth save of the season and second in as many days, allowing just one hit and struck out two in the ninth.
USF hosts San Diego in the series finale Sunday at Benedetti Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
