May 20, 2009

GALLERY

(San Francisco, CA) - A packed house helped San Francisco baseball celebrate its 2009 season at the annual banquet, this year held at the San Francisco Zoo on Tuesday May 19th. A new award was added to the list of six, given out to the Dons top players.

Athletic Director Debra Gore-Mann opened the event with two lovely and inspirational stories that she felt represented the coaching staff and the seniors. Dinner of chicken and salmon was served before Master of Ceremonies Anthony D'Albora introduced a video made by senior Zach Kim. The video was a funny and touching way to remember the 2009 Diamond Dons team.

D'Albora then started the awards portion of the night. Three seniors were honored as well as six other Dons who were singled out for their accomplishments in 2009. Dane Braunecker, Drew Johnson, and Zach Kim were given senior plaques and honored for their commitment to the Diamond Dons and the University of San Francisco. Braunecker earned the Jermaine Clark Defensive MVP Award after a fantastic season at the Hot Corner. Johnson proved to be an inspirational figure, earning the Greg Moore Most Inspirational Award, and Kim took home the Dante Benedetti MVP Award after his career year on the diamond.

Freshman Nik Balog was presented with the Con Dempsey Jr. Late Bloomer Award for helping the Dons and earning significant playing time later in the 2009 season. Freshman pitcher Cameron Love and sophomore hurler Matt Hiserman shared the Jonnie Knoble Newcomer Award for having a fantastic first season on the Hilltop, and junior righty Doug Murray was given the Jessie Foppert Fireman Award for leading the Dons with a 9-0 record.

A new award presented for the first time this year is the Troy Nakamura Kipona Alhoa Deep Love Award. Named after assistant coach Troy Nakamura, who has spent more than a decade involved with the Diamond Dons as a player and coach, the award goes to the player who best represents the love and commitment Nakamura has shown toward the program. The first recipient of the award was freshman catcher Mason Morioka.

Head coach Nino Giarratano closed out the banquet with his thoughts on 2009, wished the best of luck to his departing seniors, and left everyone looking forward to the 2010 season.