The Dons came back to tie the score with a run in the bottom of the 8th on a one out triple to right center by Mooney, and a two out single to left by Scolini. The Tigers then put the game away in the top of the 9th when three USF pitchers couldn't hold the visitors from Stockton in check. Con Dempsey lasted only I / 3 of an inning when he walked four of the five batters he faced, including the go ahead run. Coach Ken Bowman then went to the bull pen and brought in Andre Rachal, who pitched to just 3 batters giving up a double and two singles. By the time left hander Joe Miller came in from the bull pen to close out the inning, six runs had scored and the Dons found themselves behind 13-7 going into the bottom of the 9th.
USF's Con Dempsey pitched a brilliant 5 innings on Friday but was hit with hard luck in the 3rd inning. St. Mary's loaded the bases with a single and two walks. The next the inning went without any further damage, but the next batter hit another grounder to the third base side that took a bad hop and rolled off the arm of Ralph Gentile, and the result was two more unearned runs and a 3-2 loss for the Dons. The Dons split Saturday's doubleheader with their rivals from Moraga, losing the first game 6-5, allowing both runs to score, making the final 6-5 count. In the second game the Dons got excellent pitching from Jeff Dietrich, and excellent hitting from All-Leaguer center fielder John Mangiante and shortstop Monico Corral. The Dons showed seldom seen power this year as John Mangiante ripped a two run shot in the first inning to give the Dons a 2-1 lead.
The Dons highlights of the game came from the bats of Mike Mooney and Monico Corral. Mooney hit his 4th homer of the season and Corral had his 7th in a losing cause. The Dons record is now 16-40 for the year. The Dons will certainly be hurt by the loss of graduating regulars Corral, Mooney, Woodcock, Greg Eagleton and Ralph Gentile, plus graduating pitchers Charles Nat, Parks, Con Dempsey and Joe Miller. But on a brighter note, the Dons will still have the services of Mangiante, Paulus, Miles and Steve Scolini. If next years Dons can look to these players for leadership because of their experience, and the senior class replacements can get some experience, next year's team could prove to be an interesting one (TheFoghorn).
