Rogernald D. Jackson played Shortstop, Second Baseman and Relief Pitcher; he threw right and batted left and right, at 5' 10", 170 lbs.
Rusty Jackson made his debut as a member of the Dons bullpen, pitching 3 scoreless innings, in relief, to hold the final tally at 11-4.
Senior Rusty Jackson returns for his final season on the Hilltop. Jackson, a switch-hitting infielder-outfielder may return to the shortstop position he originally played. With outstanding speed and a good bat, Rusty is a candidate for the lead off position in the line up.
Last weekend, the I'SF Dons beat the Loyola Lions in their three game series, 2-1. This put the Dons into first place after the first week of seasonal play. There are several observations that come to mind when one reflects on past happenings. First of all, there is the problem of attitude. The Lions were league champions last season. They have a right to be proud of their accomplishments, but they have let everything go to their heads. They have become childishly sarcastic and vain. While a general criticism of an entire team may not be warranted, there were several individuals who destroyed respect for an entire organization. A recent press release, quoted in last week's column, stated that Loyola had their entire pitching staff back from last season. Apparently they now believe that they are the best in the league and that they have a right to insult other players like a rabid animal. One pitcher, Henderson by name, insulted the entire squad throughout Friday's 11-1 victory over the Dons. The Dons scored their ninth and final run in the eighth frame when Ric Restani, the left fielder, was hit by a pitch. Restani moved to second when Don Benedetti was walked, and he later scored when Gary Delagnes singled. Don Benedetti started the Dons attack in the bottom of the fourth when he hit his third home run of the year over the distant right field fence.
With the score tied 4-4, the Dons entered the last inning in a flurry a base hits. Shortstop Rusty Jackson singled and Marion sacrificed him to second. O'Leary was intentionally walked and Ric Restani singled to load up the bases. The winning run was scored on a wildly disputed singled by Benedetti. As Benedetti hit the ball, Restani took off from first. The ball hit Restani's foot and bounded into right field. Jackson scored and the run was counted. The Dons joyously ran out onto the field to congratulate Benedetti. At the same time, the Loyola team charged the umpire, and coach Marv Woods vehemently argued that when a ball hits a runner, the runner is out and the run should not be allowed to score from third. The umpires then referred to the rule book and stated that the rule is only in effect when a fielder is behind the runner. Franklin, the first baseman, was playing in at the edge of the infield grass for a possible double play. As a result, the ball was by him before it hit Restani and it then became a hot ball. The umpires further ruled that the second baseman could not have made a play on the ball before Jackson scored. At this point, the Loyola pitcher, Alliston, almost attacked one of the umpires, and Wood officially protested the call. Wood and USF Coach Benedetti almost sparred a few rounds in a post-game argument, but Benedetti walked away with the last words and the ball game (TheFoghorn).
