May 4, 2003

Box Score

(San Francisco) - USF completed a West Coast Conference series sweep of Portland, with an 8-4 victory Sunday at Benedetti Diamond. With the win, USF (22-27, 15-12 WCC assures themselves no worse than a share of the lead in the West Division of the league race. San Francisco takes the season series against the Pilots (9-35-1, 5-19-1 WCC) 4-2 and have swept three of their last four WCC series.

Senior outfielder Jason Howard slapped an RBI single up the middle, scoring freshman infielder Jonnie Knoble who drew a leadoff walk to give USF a 1-0 lead in the first. The Diamond Dons would increase their lead to 3-0 with a two-run third, following a leadoff single by senior outfielder Nick Tarbat, followed by another walk for Knoble. After a sacrifice bunt by sophomore infielder Cy Donald, Howard blooped a two-run double into shallow right field as the Pilots middle infielders collided trying to make a play.

Portland struck for one run in the fourth on an RBI double from junior outfielder Kory Casto. San Francisco responded with three-runs in the bottom half, on a RBI double from Tarbat and a RBI single from Knoble. Junior Armand Gaerlan drove in another run, reaching on a fielder's choice, staking USF to a 6-1 lead.

Senior right-hander Kevin Rose (5-6) collected his fourth conference win of the season for USF, going 6.2 innings, allowing four runs off six hits. Rose struck out a season-high nine batters, one shy of his career best, also set against Portland in a complete game victory April 7, 2001. It was the 10th career victory for Rose.

After the Pilots rallied for three in the seventh to cut the lead to 6-4, San Francisco responded with two runs in the bottom. Junior infielder Joe Jacobitz slammed a leadoof double down the left field line, followed by a single by junior catcher Ryan Hanson. Junior pinch-hitter Craig Click drove in Jacobitz on a sacrifice fly to center. Tarbat struck again with his second RBI double of the contest, scoring Hanson.

Freshman right-hander Trent Kristjanson (2-7) suffered the loss for Portland, allowing eight runs (seven earned) off 11 hits in 6.0 innings.

Hanson finished 3-for-4, as did Tarbat, who drove in a pair of runs on two RBI doubles. Howard drove in three on a 2-for-5 afternoon.

USF travels to Los Angeles for a crucial WCC series against Loyola Marymount. It is the final series of the regular season for the Dons, who are in search of the first divisional crow in program history. Game one is scheduled for a 3:00 PM first pitch Friday, May 9 at 3:00 PM at Page Stadium.