Backing up in the outfield will be freshman Rob Gabriele, of Sacramento's El Camino HS. Gabriele bats from the left side, and Hill expects that "he's gonna be good, it's just a matter of when."
Third baseman Mark Frizzi and catcher Jim Rogan walked to lead off that inning, advanced by center fielder Jess Taclas' bunt single. DH Rob Gabriele followed with an RBI single past second, and shortstop Jermaine Clark - the team's batting leader at .344 - added a double over the center fielder's head, making the score 3-2. The Dons opened the scoring in this one, when Taclas doubled to shallow left-center and advanced to third on a bad throw. Gabriele followed up with an RBI single and steal of second. He moved to third when SMC catcher Brandon Hyde dropped a third strike to Clark, and scored on a McDaniels sacrifice fly, giving the Hilltoppers a 2-0 advantage (TheFoghorn).
