April 22, 2008

Final Stats

(San Francisco, CA) - San Francisco took an exciting victory over Sacramento State on Tuesday, barely edging the Hornets (19-19) 9-8 at Benedetti Diamond. USF (23-17) rallied from a 8-8 tie in the eighth to secure the win.

In a game of multiple lead changes and ties, both teams combined for 17 runs and 28 hits. Sacramento State started the scoring barrage early in the first, and held a 3-1 advantage after three and a half. The Dons scored their first run in the bottom of the first on senior right-fielder Kyle Morgan's RBI single. But USF would take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the third.

With the bases loaded and no outs, junior left fielder Zach Kim smashed a two RBI single up the middle. After sophomore catcher Ryan Lipkin singled to left, the bases were loaded a second time in the inning. Sophomore third baseman Derek Poppert hit a fly ball to left that was just shallow enough to keep all runners from advancing, but the next batter, senior designated hitter Matt Lieb walked in the Dons third run of the frame.

USF held the lead for less than an inning as the Hornets scored one to tie it at 4-4 in the top of the fourth. They then put up two in the sixth to take the 6-4 lead before the Dons regained the lead in the bottom of the frame with four runs of their own.

Senior shortstop Tavo Hall led off the inning with a double down the left field line - the double is Hall's team leading 12th of the season. An our later, Bernatz reached on another infield single, scoring Hall. Morgan walked to put runners on first and second, before Bialosky loaded the bags with an infield single. Bernatz was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice, but Kim was safe at first, beating out the attempted double play. Lipkin then singled to left, scoring Morgan. Poppert capped the scoring with a two RBI double to left field.

Being up two runs wasn't safe enough as the Hornets again tied the ballgame, scoring twice in the seventh. But the Dons rallied in the eighth to take the 9-8 lead on an RBI single to left from Hall. In the ninth Bialosky got away with a one out triple by Hornets' first baseman Gabe Jacobo to earn the victory.

Bialosky (2-5) earned the win in relief, throwing 2.0 innings of one hit ball, not allowing a run and striking out three Hornets. Sophomore right-hander Joe Oropeza started his first career game as a Don, but only lasted one inning, giving up two earned runs off three hits, but did manage to strike out the side.

Lipkin had three hits and an RBI. Kim was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Morgan was also 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Railey had two hits with a double and a run scored, while Bernatz was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Hall also had two hits, including a double, an RBI and a run scored. Poppert doubled in two runs, and Bialosky singled and scored twice.

Freshman right-hander Brandon Sandoval (0-2) took the loss in relief for Sacramento State, allowing one earned run off three hits and a walk. Junior right-hander Nick Buchta earned the no-decision after allowing four earned runs off four hits, and two walks in 2.0 innings. Jacobo led the Hornets at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a triple, an RBI, and two runs scored. The Hornets stole six bases on Dons' pitchers and catchers in the game.

USF heads to Fresno for a Wednesday matchup with the Fresno State Bulldogs. Game time is set for 6:05 PM.