March 21, 2008

Final Stats

(San Francisco, CA) - San Francisco held a 3-0 lead going into the eighth before Fairleigh Dickinson scored four to take the lead, but USF (11-10) plated four of their own in the bottom of the frame to take the 7-4 victory and 2-0 series lead over the Knights (2-12) at Benedetti Diamond on Friday afternoon.

Trailing 3-0 through seven, FDU mounted a one out rally to take a 4-3 lead. Sophomore right-hander Joe Oropeza, who started the eighth for the Dons, gave up a single to FDU's second baseman Steven LaForge. After a strikeout, LaForge stole second, before first baseman Brian Dillion singled to left. Third baseman Jeff Vincent walked to load the bases and right fielder John Paganotti singled, plating LaForge. Freshman left-hander Sean Burns relieved Oropeza on the mound with the bases still loaded. Burns gave up a quick walk to pinch hitter Zachary Sand, scoring Dillion. Left Fielder Matt Maher singled to center, scoring Vincent and Paganotti before pinch hitter Brett Lazar hit into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

USF would not be outdone however as they scored four of their own in the bottom of the frame to capture the 7-4 lead. Senior right fielder Kyle Morgan walked to start the inning, then scored on a stolen base attempt as the Knights fielding fell apart. As Morgan was heading for second, Knights catcher Erik Pollag sailed the ball into shallow centerfield. LaForge retrieved the ball, but over threw Vincent as Morgan headed for third, then on to home to make it 4-4.

Junior left fielder Drew Johnson walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. Sophomore catcher Ryan Lipkin grounded out to second base, pushing Johnson to second. Junior Zach Kim then walked and moved to second on senior shortstop Tavo Hall's fielder's choice. Johnson was out at home on the play. Still needing that fifth run, junior third baseman Dane Braunecker earned his first hit of the ballgame, a single to right, which plated Kim. Senior second baseman Joey Railey singled to center, scoring Tavo before freshman designated hitter Connor Bernatz struck out to end the inning.

USF's first two runs (in the first and fifth) came off sophomore first baseman Derek Poppert's two sacrifice flies. In the seventh, Hall singled, stole two consecutive bases, and scored on Railey's sac fly.

Bernatz went 3-for-5 with a double, raising his season average to .406. Railey was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, three RBI and two stolen bases. Johnson had two hits and a stolen base. Hall and Braunecker rounded out the Dons nine hits with one each. Hall's two stolen bases in the contest raised his team leading total to six.

Senior right-hander Mitchell Bialosky earned an unfortunate no-decision in his brilliant start. In 7.0 innings, Bialosky did not allow a run off only three hits, one walk, and struck out a season high seven batters. Burns (1-0) earned the win in relief, his first as a Don. In 1.2 innings, Burns only allowed one hit, no runs, and walked one batter. All of the Knights four runs were attributed to Oropeza, who gave up three hits, a walk, and struck out one in 0.1 innings.

FDU's right-handed freshman Zachary Kisling (0-3) took the loss in relief, giving up two earned runs off no hits and two walks in less than an inning of work. Sophomore righty Michael Strachman allowed the final two runs in the eighth, off two hits, a walk, and struck out one. Junior left-hander John Meadus took the no-decision, throwing 7.0 quality innings, only allowing three runs off seven hits, three walks, and struck out five Dons. Paganotti led the Knights at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

USF and Fairleigh Dickinson conclude the series tomorrow with a double header at Benedetti Diamond. First pitch in game one is set for 11:30 AM with the second game slated to start 30 minutes after the end of the first meeting.