University of San Francisco Athletics

Follow the Diamond Dons: FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
 
Game No. 31
San Francisco Dons (15-15, 5-7 WCC) vs. San Jose State (9-23, 5-10 WAC)
Date: Apr. 8, 3 p.m.
Location: Benedetti Diamond
 
Game Nos. 32-34
San Francisco Dons vs. Pacific Tigers (14-19, 5-7 WCC)
Date: Apr. 11, 3 p.m.; Apr. 12, 1 p.m.; Apr. 13, 1 p.m.
Location: Benedetti Diamond

2014 SCHEDULE
2014 ROSTER
 
GAME NOTES — SAN JOSE STATE-PACIFIC
 
SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons were able to rebound this past weekend, taking their series at Loyola Marymount, and now aim to continue that success back at home against San Jose State and Pacific.
 
San Francisco (15-15, 5-7) was able to take two out of three in Los Angeles and had a chance to get the series sweep on Sunday. Despite the loss, the Dons got some outstanding performances from a number of players.
 
Probable starters:
TUE: Sheldon Lee (2-1, 5.87 ERA)
FRI: Abe Bobb (2-3, 6.02)
SAT: Christian Cecilio (4-4, 4.07)
SUN: Grant Goodman (2-2, 4.38)
 
ATKINSON, HENDRIKS DRIVING HOME RUNS
Derek Atkinson was an RBI machine against LMU. He drove in four, including two in Friday night's 6-4 win. Brendan Hendriks has been even better as he has driven in 15 runs through 12 conference games and leads the team in doubles with 13.
 
ZIMMER EXTENDS HIT STREAK TO 18
Bradley Zimmer has proven many predictions right with his play so far this season and can add another accomplishment to his resume as he is currently in the midst of an 18-game hitting streak, dating back to Mar. 8. He has had multiple hits in 11 of the 18 games and carries a .437 batting average with a .518 on-base percentage.
 
GET 'EM TO THE SIXTH
The Dons are 14-2 in games where they either lead or are tied going into the sixth inning this season. This is primarily due to the performance of the bullpen. The Dons have gone to Ben Graff, Brock Larson and Houston Hibberd most often and the three have combined to throw 58.2 innings and carry an ERA of 2.91. Hibberd has been near untouchable with a 1.85 ERA and leads the team in saves (6) and is second in wins (3).
 
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The Dons are home for four games this week but will not play at Benedetti Diamond again until May 2 against Santa Clara. USF has fared well away from the friendly confines and are 7-7 away from home. They will make trips to Pepperdine, Nevada, Portland and California.
 
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Bradley Zimmer was named to three All-America first teams in the preseason, including the Louisville Slugger and Baseball America teams. The junior hit .320 with seven home runs and 37 RBI last season and went onto play for the USA National Collegiate Team and Cotuit Keetleers of the Cape Cod League over the summer.
 
GIARRATANO LEGACY
Head coach Nino Giarratano enters his 16th season at the helm of the USF baseball team and is the winningest coach in the program's history with 447. He is also the third winningest coach in WCC history, behind John Cunningham (USD, 524) and current San Diego coach Rich Hill (657). With the win over Kansas State on Feb. 18, Giarratano passed Santa Clara's John Oldman for third on that list (433).
 
ABOUT SAN JOSE STATE
The Dons last played San Jose State on Mar. 18 at Municipal Stadium and jumped out to an early lead as they took the contest 7-2. USF used eight pitchers on the night and Matt Narahara picked up the win. The 3-4-5 hitters for the Dons (Derek Atkinson, Zack Turner and Brendan Hendriks) went a combined 8-for-12 with four RBI against the Spartans. San Jose State's pitching staff carries a 5.77 ERA and a .336 opponent batting average.
 
ABOUT PACIFIC
The Tigers are back in the WCC for the first time since 1971 and this will mark the first meeting between San Francisco and Pacific since the league expansion. Pacific had a rough out of conference but have been very competitive in league play. Sophomore shortstop Brett Sullivan has been named WCC Player of the Week twice and carries a .393 average with three home runs and five triples. Keeping him in check will be a major key for the Dons. Five Pacific pitchers have thrown 32 or more innings on the season with no other player with more than 17.