USF's bats wasted no time in roughing up Gonzaga pitching, powering 13 hits in the first five innings as the Dons, propelled by a pair of homeruns from junior outfielder Jason Howard beat the Bulldogs 9-5 in West Coast Conference baseball action March 19 at Benedetti Diamond. With the win, the Dons (13-10, 3-3 WCC) secure the sweep of Gonzaga (7-12, 3-3 WCC).

Junior right-hander Peter Dunkle (3-1) got plenty of run support in this one as the Dons posted a pair of runs in the first and second inning before tacking on three more in the third inning, to take a 9-0 lead entering the sixth inning. Howard provided instant offense with a leadoff homerun to start the game and crushed a two-run blast in his next at-bat at the second. Gonzaga rallied for three runs in the sixth inning and tallied two more in the eighth.

Howard finished the afternoon 3-for-5 with two long balls and three RBI. Junior infielder Jesse Foppert continued his monster series with his third consecutive homerun and finished 2-for-3 with four RBI. For the series, Foppert hit .583 (7-12) a triple, three homeruns and six RBI. Senior third baseman Taggert Bozied went 2-for-4 with a double and wrapped up a tremendous offensive series against the Bulldogs with an amazing .692 (9-13) batting average, three doubles, a homerun and three RBI.

Other offensive highlights for USF were junior catcher Steve Booth who went 3-for-4. Outfielders Chad Soares and Jeramy Janz each collected RBI for the Dons.

Gonzaga was paced by 3-hit performances from infielder Eric Rodland and designated hitter Nate Gold. Gold also drove in a pair of runs for the Bulldogs.

Dunkle collected three strikeouts in seven complete innings, allowing three runs (one earned) off seven hits for his third victory of the season. Freshman right-hander Kevin Rose collected his first save of the season with four strikeouts in two innings of work.

Sophomore right-hander Sean Lichter (0-1) suffered the loss for Gonzaga, allowing seven runs off nine hits in 2.1 innings of work.

USF takes to the road as they continue WCC play in Los Angeles when they face the Lions of Loyola Marymount. Opening game of the three-game series is Friday, March 23. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 at Page Stadium.