March 22, 2008

Final Stats

(San Francisco, CA) - San Francisco completed not only the double-header sweep, but also the four game series sweep over Fairleigh Dickinson with 9-2 and 11-1 victories at Benedetti Diamond on Saturday. USF (13-10) outscored FDU (2-14) 33-7 in the four contests and out hit the Knights 44-22. The Dons have had nine or more hits in their last nine games, going 7-2, including winning their last five consecutive games.

GAME 1:

Fairleigh Dickinson jumped to an early 2-0 lead, but USF scored four in the fourth to take a lead it would not relinquish. With two outs and a runner on second, senior first baseman Mitchell Bialosky hit an RBI double to right. Junior designated hitter Drew Johnson and junior left fielder Zach Kim both walked to load the bases. Sophomore pinch hitter Bobby Ethel came off the bench and proceeded to smash a bases clearing double into left.

USF added a run in the sixth, three in the seventh and an extra insurance run in the eighth to secure the 9-2 victory.

Bialosky led the Dons at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore third baseman Derek Poppert was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Freshman center fielder Connor Bernatz smashed his first triple of the season and freshman catcher Travis Higgs earned his first hit as a Don, a two RBI single in the seventh.

Senior LHP Matt Baugh (3-2) earned the victory. In 7.0 innings, Baugh allowed two runs (one earned) off just four hits and one walk, while striking out a season high seven batters.

GAME 2:

In game two, USF led the entire way and scored all they would really need in the second. With one out and two on, sophomore catcher Ryan Lipkin smashed an RBI double to left and put runners on second and third. Ethel doubled down the right field line, scoring two. The Dons added one each in the third through fifth innings, three in the sixth and two in the seventh. In the sixth, junior third baseman Dane Braunecker earned his first triple as a Don, a one out shot to center.

Morgan had three hits on the day, with a double, a homerun, three RBI and a run scored. Ethel, Lipkin, and Poppert each had two hits, all including doubles. Bialosky and sophomore pinch hitter Sam Wiley also doubled for the Dons. Along with Braunecker, Poppert also smashed his first triple of the season.

Freshman left-hander Garret Luippold (3-0) took the win in game two. In 3.0 relief innings, Luippold allowed just one earned run off two hits, two walks, and struck out four batters. Sophomore righty Chase Tigert, in his first appearance of 2008 due to injury, started and threw 2.0 innings, not allowing a run, a hit, or a walk, and struck out five Knights. Tigert struck out five in a row including the last two batters in the first inning and the entire side in the second. Sophomore right-handers Alex Kalogrides and Joe Oropeza each threw 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings in relief.

USF returns to action next Wednesday at home versus UC Davis. First pitch against the Aggies is set for 2:00 PM.