(Sacramento) – Junior infielder Jesse Foppert connected on his first career grand slam to power USF to a 10-6 victory against Saint Mary’s College in the Sacramento State Tournament on Saturday at Hornet Field. The Dons (1-1) earn their first win of the young season against the Gaels (2-2).

USF held a 1-0 lead after entering the third when a pair of walks and a single from junior outfielder Jason Howard loaded the bases and set the stage for Foppert’s blast. The Gaels would counter with a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Dons scored a run in the fourth and fifth inning then added three more in the sixth to seal the victory.

Junior outfielder Jeramy Janz, junior catcher Steve Booth and freshman shortstop Armand Gaerlan each collected a pair of hits and an RBI for USF. Senior designated hitter Chad Soares, junior infielder Luke Gradishar, Gaerlan and Howard each connected on a double.

Sophomore Chris Gossert (1-0) picked up the win for the Dons after pitching two innings, allowing just one hit and struck two in his first victory since 1998.

USF hosts the Cougars of BYU in the 2001 home opener Monday Feb. 5 at Benedetti Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM.