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Top Coast Collegiate Team
In 1946, USF’s first season following World War II, the Dons won the crown of the Collegiate Nines of the West, finishing the season 8-1. USF won a two-game series against Saint Mary's, Santa Clara and Stanford, and in single games, beat San Jose State and San Francisco State. The team's only defeat came at the hands of the California Bears, losing due to a controversial 9th-inning decision.
Coach Pete Newell, in his first year, could count on hitting from the bottom half of his lineup, for all nine men were "money ballplayers" who got their hits in the clutch. As a result, the Dons outscored their opponents three to one. The team was headlined by Con Dempsey, whose fastball drove a 7-1 record, and center fielder Paul Schramka, who maintained a .410 average, and team standouts included pitcher Ed Garcia, Ed Granitz, Ernie Del Simone, Johnny Rotar, Ed Hanna, Fred Shew, Joe Vevoda, Frank Manko and "Dippy" Oreste Matteucci. A late addition to the lineup was Forest "Scooter" Hall, who ended the season with a .467 batting percentage in 30 appearances at bat.
Newell, who brought a brand of "hubba hubba ball" to the Dons, was chiefly responsible for the team's success. Seldom did a coach receive as much praise as was heaped upon Newell by his players. A player quote in the March 6, 1946 issue of the Foghorn says, "From what I've seen, I think he's a swell guy, the kind of ball he plays is fast and colorful. Fans will get their money's worth." And they did, as the 1946 USF Dons became the top Collegiate Baseball Team on the Pacific Coast.
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