May 12, 2002

Box Score

(San Francisco) - USF rallied from an early 4-0 deficit with a six-run third inning and got great pitching from three seniors to seize an 11-8 West Coast Conference victory against the Lions Sunday at Benedetti Diamond in the Dons final game of the 2002 campaign. San Francisco (18-38, 9-21 WCC) finished the season strong winning seven of their last 10 while fielding a team dominated by freshmen and sophomores, but the Dons seniors made their presence felt in the final contest of their collegiate careers.

USF sent three senior pitchers to the mound, led by left-hander Jeremy Kinney, who struck out four batters in 5.1 innings of work in a no-decision to give him 113 in his two-year career. Right-hander Steve Moses (4-1) came on in relief and earned the win allowing one run off two hits in 2.2 innings of work, while senior right-hander Peter Dunkle came in to close the door on the Lions in the ninth and recorded the 252nd strikeout of his four-year career.

It was also a big day for sophomore outfielder Joe Jacobitz, who finished 2-for-5 with three RBI on the afternoon. Jacobitz's last hit was the 85th of the 2002 season and broke USF's single-season hits record previously held by former three-time All-American Taggert Bozied, who hit 84 in 1999.

San Francisco's six-run third all came with two outs as freshman infielder Cy Donald got things started with a single, sophomore shortstop Armand Gaerlan was hit by a pitch, Jacobitz smashed an RBI single into right field, senior catcher Steve Booth followed with another RBI single. The Dons weren't done as freshman outfielder Royce Fukuroku was hit by a pitch to load the bases and junior first baseman Alfonso Valdez reached second on an error by the right fielder to score two more runs. Senior Luke Gradishar smashed a two RBI double to stake USF to a 6-4 lead.

LMU would respond with a run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take the lead 7-6, but USF added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth as junior pinch-hitter Ryan Sittauer earned a one-out walk, followed by a single from freshman infielder Khamis Zananiri and both would score on another fielding error in the outfield after a sacrifice bunt from Donald to give the Dons a slim 8-7 edge.

San Francisco would add three crucial insurance runs in the eighth to secure the win. Gradishar led off with a single, followed by another walk to Sittauer and both advanced on a wild pitch, setting the stage for an RBI single to center for Gaerlan. Jacobitz's record-setting hit was a two RBI triple to deep right center to give the Dons the 11-8 win.

Gradishar finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in his final game in the green and gold, while Jacobitz and Zananiri each collected a pair of base hits for the Dons.

Kevin Jenson (1-8) suffered the loss for LMU after allowing eight runs off six hits. He struck out a pair of batters, but got no help from his defense. Infielders Billy Lockin, Tommy Perez and designated hitter Kris Zacuto each collected three hits, and Perez pounded his ninth homerun of the season to lead off the third inning.