AT COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO (2007): Went 4-0 in 16 appearances... in 28.1 innings, threw 32 strikeouts with a 1.27 ERA.

AT USF (2006): Redshirted, did not play

PREP CAREER: Played varsity baseball at Point Arena High School... named League MVP senior season going 4-2, 0.622 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 45 innings... also played varsity football and basketball his freshman, junior, and senior seasons... two-time MVP for basketball.

PERSONAL: Joseph Andrew Oropeza... goal for the season is to help the team win as many games as possible... chose USF because it is close to home and has good academics and baseball... thinks the best thing about being a student-athlete is getting an education while playing ball... lists watching or playing sports as a hobby... would like to be Tiger Woods for a day... best advice he has been given is to never quit and follow your dreams... best advice he could give to youngsters is to always give 100% at whatever you do... would like to attend a World Series game that the Giants were playing in... favorite movie is Remember the Titans... favorite food is Clam Chowder... parents are Jose and Sandra Oropeza... born on April 24, 1987 in Santa Rosa, CA.

GIARRATANO ON OROPEZA: "I see Joe as being a major contributor to our bullpen and helping the depth of our team."