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2015 SCHEDULE | 2015 ROSTER | 2014 FINAL STATISTICS
 
SAN FRANCISCO—The Dons' outfield lost one huge piece following the 2014 season and will have a new look this year but there will be a lot of versatility with the group patrolling the spacious grass of Benedetti Diamond.
 
The Dons finished last season with a 25-29 record and 11-16 in conference, which followed a season in which they reached the NCAA Regional for the second time in three years. USF returns a slew of veterans as well as 17 newcomers to the Hilltop as they look to return to the postseason.
 
USF is looking to rebound after a disappointing 2014 and they are prepping themselves with a grueling preseason schedule, which includes 12 straight on the road to begin the season. They will play 2014 College World Series participant Texas Tech, New Mexico, Oregon, and Stanford as part of the nonconference schedule.
 
The season begins on Feb. 13 at Texas Tech.
 
JAN. 27: INFIELDERS | JAN. 30: CATCHERS/DESIGNATED HITTERS
FEB. 4: PITCHERS | FEB. 6: OUTFIELDERS
 
OUTFIELDERS
The outfield fill have a much different look than it did a year ago and it starts with the loss of Bradley Zimmer. Zimmer, who led the team by hitting .368 with seven home runs and 21 stolen bases, was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Indians and has left a void in the outfield.
 
"Any time you lose a first round pick in centerfield and the guy who steadied your lineup, it's going to be tough to juggle and move everybody," USF head coach Nino Giarratano said.
 
But the cupboard is far from bare for the Dons.
 
They return Derek Atkinson, who led the team in RBI a year ago with 44 and was named the team's top defensive player last season while playing right field. He will make the transition to centerfield this season but it is a place he is very comfortable with.
 
"He came in here as a centerfielder," Giarratano said. "We moved him to leftfield because [Justin] Maffei was in center and Bradley in rightfield [in 2013]. That was a great outfield. Derek moved over to right last season and probably played as good of rightfield as anyone in the conference or anybody around on the West Coast.
 
"We really like what Derek is capable for us in centerfield. We know he can move over to any of the other three positions."
 
Sliding into the rightfield slot will be Kyle Nixon. The sophomore transfer comes to the Hilltop from Bakersfield Community College where he hit .371 with a home run and 21 RBI and was named First Team All-Western State Conference and an ABCA Rawlings Freshman All-American.
 
The Dons will employ a rotation in leftfield and it will consist of returner Matt Sinatro and newcomer Connor Hofmann.
 
Sinatro split his time between second base and leftfield last season and made 47 starts his freshman season. Hofmann, a transfer from Oregon, is recovering from a broken foot suffered in the fall but should also see plenty of time in left.
 
"Sinatro will be able to play leftfield for us and brings back some experience back from last year," Giarratano said.
 
Cody Snider will also find his way into the mix after getting limited at bats in 2014 but had a three-hit game against Saint Mary's towards the end of the season.
 
"He had a chance to see what it was like[ at the college level]," Giarratano said. "I think Cody can help us in the outfield as well."