University of San Francisco Athletics

The true test of our hitting was the slugfest between San Francisco and UC Davis. Beginning with the first inning the game was obviously going to be high scoring. Davis scored first with three big runs in the first inning, but the Dons came back quickly with homers by Kevin Keating and Dave Jones. In the eighth inning the score was 9-5, but the game was saved when Dennis Yamamoto roped a grand slam home run to tie the game up. Cal Godward came through in the ninth and held the Aggies scoreless. The score remained 9-9 as the game was called on account of darkness.

With the help of Giants owner Horace Stoneham, Don Coach Dante Benedetti is already trying to stimulate some student interest in the club. While the contest played against USC was a humbling defeat (23-0), there was no doubt that the exhibition was a financial success for the baseball program. For several hundred students showed up at Candlestick Park that day. The USF skipper is now in the process of setting up a game against the San Francisco Giants next year. The idea of challenging the Giants to an exhibition game next season is also a sure revenue builder for the program and a good way to get fans to see the Dons. For large crowds have shown up at other Bay Area campuses to see the Giants play Santa Clara, and the Oakland A's battle UC Berkeley each season. A special thanks deserves to go out to Mr. Stoneham in his effort to help USF athletics. While his club has fallen on hard times last season and so far this year, it was a particularly generous move by the Giant owner to donate the use of Candlestick for the benefit game. Bring a group of friends along when you go out to see the Dons play next. It can make a relaxing afternoon after a long day of classes. In just a couple of years you may be sitting in the Oakland Coliseum or Candlestick Park enjoying a glass of Budweiser when you hear Dave Jones, Kevin Forde, Gary Delagnes, or some other USF graduate announced to be entering the game. Then you can brag to your buddies and say, "You heard it here first that that guy was going to be a star. I saw him play in college. I knew he had what it takes to make it in the big leagues (TheFoghorn)."