Box Score
SAN FRANCISCO – The University of San Francisco capped off another thriller Friday, scoring in their final at-bat to defeat Pepperdine, 3-2, and ascending the West Coast Conference standing as the race for the postseason continues to tighten. On a day when the Dons managed just three hits, strong pitching and a manufactured run were enough for to claim the win. The Dons moved to 27-19 (12-7 WCC), while the Waves dropped to 22-18 (9-7 WCC).
Third baseman
Bob Cruikshank put the Dons on the board with a towering two-run home run to left field in the second inning, the first of the season for the sophomore.
After Cruikshank's long ball, it appeared that
Haden Hinkle was on his was to his ninth win of the season, as he cruised through five innings before allowing a pair of solo home runs in the sixth to tie the game.
With the score 2-2 in the eighth,
Justin Maffei drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a balk, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Zachary Turner sacrifice fly.
After another solid performance from Hinkle,
Adam Cimber pitched the final two innings for his fifth win of the season. The two pitchers combined to allow just six hits while striking out 10.
“Any time you get three hits and win a game in this conference you're doing pretty well,” said USF head coach
Nino Giarratano. “That shows how well we pitched and played defense and we made our hits work for us. We got a big home run from Bob to put us up 2-0, then they hit two two-out home runs, and we were able to execute in the ninth and it was enough to get it done. That's what's special about this team and it makes tomorrow our most important game of the year.”
The series resumes tomorrow at Benedetti Diamond. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Inside the Numbers
Zachary Turner had his 16-game hit streak come to an end. The junior may be starting another long RBI streak after his go-ahead sacrifice fly. Turner had a 14-game RBI streak in April.
Line of the Game
Bob Cruikshank – 1-for-3, run, 2 RBIs, home run
