May 19, 2008
(San Francisco, CA) - San Francisco Baseball celebrated its 2008 season with a banquet held in the Grand Room of the San Francisco Zoo on Sunday night. Nearly 150 people joined the coaching staff and team as seven seniors said goodbye after record breaking careers. Brian Anderson, Mitchell Bialosky, Matt Baugh, Tavo Hall, Kyle Morgan, Matt Lieb, and Joey Railey finished their careers as members of the most successful Dons senior class in the Program's 101 year history and were recognized by the coaching staff. This group of seniors has won more games (135) than any other group. In 2008, these seniors helped the Dons to 31 victories, just the sixth time in 101 seasons that USF has won 30 or more, and the third time since the 2005 season. They also played significant parts in USF's first West Coast Conference Championship Series in school history and the first post-season appearance for the Dons during the 2006 season. USF Head Coach Nino Giarratano, heading out this summer to represent USF as a member of the coaching staff for the 2008 USA Baseball National Team, reflected on the season, this team, and how this group of seniors carried the team with their leadership and determination to succeed. With an entire roster of young men focused not on themselves, but on the team, choosing individual awards was a difficult task. The team voted on all honors except for the Dante Benedetti Team MVP award and the new Con Dempsey Jr. Award, which were chosen by the coaching staff. Award recipients are listed below.
Seniors Mitchell Bialosky and Joey Railey shared the Dante Benedetti Most Valuable Player award after each turned in spectacular seasons on the Hilltop. Freshman left-handed pitcher Matt Lujan and Freshman infielder Stephen Yarrow earned the Con Dempsey Jr. Award, given to a member of the team who came on strong later in the season to make a big impact. 2008 Diamond Don Award Winners Jesse Foppert Award (Pitcher of the Year) - Sr. LHP Matt Baugh Jermaine Clark Award (Defensive Player of the Year) - Sr. INF Joey Railey Greg Moore Award (Most Inspirational Player) - Sr. INF Tavo Hall Jonnie Knoble Award (Newcomer of the Year) - Fr. OF Connor Bernatz Con Dempsey Jr. Award - Fr. LHP Matt Lujan and Fr. INF Stephen Yarrow Dante Benedetti Award - Sr. INF/RHP Mitchell Bialosky and Sr. INF Joey Railey |
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