TUESDAY
USF (7-15, 2-1 WCC) at Sacramento State (10-8, 0-0 WAC)     
Tuesday, Mar. 22 | 3 p.m.
John Smith Field | Sacramento, Calif.   
Coverage: Live stats | Audio (hornetsports.com)
Complete Game Notes [PDF]

PROBABLE STARTERS
USF: RHP Thomas Ponticelli (1-2, 6.75)  |  CSUS: RHP Matt Gorgolinski (1-0, 4.72) 

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SAN FRANCISCO – The USF Dons (7-15, 2-1 WCC) travel north to face Sacramento State (10-8, 0-0 WAC) on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The Dons will send RHP Thomas Ponticelli (1-2, 6.75) to the hill, while the Hornets will give RHP Matt Gorgolinski (1-0, 4.72) the start.
 
Fans can follow Tuesday's action via live stats and a live audio stream with links available at USFDons.com and hornetsports.com.
 
THE STORY SO FAR
The Dons went 4-1 this past week, winning their first West Coast Conference series of the year by taking two of three at Santa Clara this past weekend and posting a 6-3 victory at San Jose State this past Tuesday, followed by an 8-1 win over UMass Lowell on Wednesday.
 
The Dons got out to an early lead against San Jose State and never let up as Brock Larson (1-0) picked up his first win of the year with 1.2 scoreless innings of relief, while Aaron Ping (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B), Ross Puskarich (1-for-3, 2 R, HR) and Ryan Matranga (2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI) had big days at the plate.
 
Facing UMass Lowell the next night, USF rode Thomas Ponticelli's seven-inning start to victory as the freshman righty only allowed one run on five hits while striking out a season-high six.
 
In both team's WCC opener this past Friday, Santa Clara got the best of USF by squeaking out a 2-0 win at Schott Stadium. Anthony Shew only allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out seven in six innings of work for the Dons, but SCU's Kert Woods drove in both Bronco runs.
 
Saturday saw the Dons rally for a come-from-behind victory as they plated four runs in the top of the ninth to steal a 5-2 win over Santa Clara. Allen Smoot (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) led the way for USF, while a throwing error by Bronco reliever Max Kuhns allowed the go-ahead runs to score with one out in the ninth.
 
The busy week wrapped up on a strong note on Sunday afternoon as the Dons clalimed the rubber match with a 6-3 win behind James Kannenberg's seven innings where he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits while walking two and striking out four. Nico Giarratano (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Smoot (1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI) had strong days at the plate for USF.  
 

• OF/DH Blake Valley had his team-best 13-game hitting streak snapped in Friday's loss at Santa Clara
• RF Beau Bozett extended his on-base streak to 13 games with a single to lead off the third inning in Sunday's win
• With two stolen bases on Sunday, CF Matt Sinatro is now 10-for-10 on the year
• Sunday's victory was the third time this season the Dons have come from behind to win
• Through the first 11 games of the season, the Dons were hitting .255 with a 6.11 team ERA; the last 11 games have seen the Dons hit at a .275 clip with a 3.73 ERA

 
ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE
The Hornets come into the week with a 10-8 overall record and have not yet played a conference contest. Sacramento State lost the first two games of a doubleheader at home against Cal Poly this past Friday, but came back to win the series finale 3-2 on Saturday.
 
As a team, the Hornets are hitting .259 with seven home runs and are 24-for-35 in stolen base attempts this season. Designated hitter Matt Smith (.432, 12 RBI) leads Sac State at the plate, while first baseman Kody Reynolds (.320, HR, 5 RBI) and center fielder Bronson Grubbs (.298, 2 RBI) have helped set the table.
 
On the mound, the Hornets' pitching staff carries a 4.98 team ERA with 92 strikeouts in 159 innings this season.  
 
KEEP AN EYE ON…
Dons pitchers have not allowed more than three runs in any of their past six games, but opponents are still hitting .309 against them, whereas Sacramento State's pitching staff is limiting hitters to a .259 average.
 
THE SERIES
The Dons are 26-16 against Sacramento State under head coach Nino Giarratano (since 1999). The two teams last met on Apr. 21 of last year at Benedetti Diamond with the Hornets taking a 7-4 win.