THIS WEEKEND
USF (13-26, 7-8 WCC) vs. San Diego (20-20, 7-8 WCC)
Friday, Apr. 22 - Sunday, Apr. 24
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Live stats: usfdons.com
Audio/Video: TheW.tv

PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday, April 22 | 3 p.m. | TheW.tv - PBP: Vinnie Longo
USF: RHP Anthony Shew (2-5, 5.01)       USD: LHP Troy Conyers (4-4, 4.17)
 
Saturday, April 23 | 1 p.m. | TheW.tv - PBP: Pat Olson
USF: RHP Thomas Ponticelli (2-4, 5.12)       USD: RHP Gary Cornish (5-2, 4.19)
 
Sunday, April 24 | 1 p.m. | TheW.tv - PBP: Pat Olson
USF: RHP James Kannenberg (4-3, 3.91)        USD: LHP Nick Sprengel (2-6, 6.75)
 

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SAN FRANCISCO – The USF Dons (13-26, 7-8 WCC) host the San Diego Toreros (20-20, 7-8 WCC) this weekend at Benedetti Diamond in a crucial West Coast Conference series that will start to unlock the log jam that is the WCC standings.
 
The Dons and Toreros come into the weekend joined by Pacific in a three-way tie for sixth place with each squad sporting identical 7-8 conference records. Pepperdine and LMU both sit tied for fourth at 8-7, while BYU, Gonzaga and Saint Mary's - each at 10-5 - are deadlocked in the top spot.
 
Senior righty Anthony Shew (2-5, 5.01) will be looking to post his second consecutive victory when he takes the mound in the series opener on Friday. Shew will also be looking for his second straight win over the Toreros after going eight innings where he allowed just one run in a victory in San Diego last year.  
 
The Dons come into the weekend riding a big series win over WCC-leading Gonzaga this past weekend and a 4-3 home victory over San Jose State on Tuesday. USF couldn't have picked a better time to have a breakout weekend as the Dons enjoyed their first five true home games this past week at their brand new home ballpark, the newly renovated Benedetti Diamond.
 
The Dons lost to New Mexico 12-3 in their home debut last Wednesday, but bounced back to claim a decisive 9-1 victory over the Zags last Friday behind senior righty Anthony Shew's eight-inning gem. Gonzaga rallied for some late runs en route to a 10-2 win on Saturday before USF captured the rubber match 5-3 on Sunday as junior outfielder Brady Bate played the hero with a three-run blast in the third inning that proved to be the difference. 
 
Against San Jose State on Tuesday, the Dons scored all four of their runs in the first three innings as seven pitchers combined to hold off the Spartans for the rest of the game. Redshirt sophomore right-hander Grant Goodman earned his first win of the year with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief.
 
This weekend's action can be followed via live stats on USFDons.com and a live video stream on TheW.tv with Vinnie Longo (Friday) and Pat Olson (Saturday and Sunday) on the call.   
 
NOTABLES
Junior SS Nico Giarratano comes into the weekend riding a 13-game on-base streak, tying him with Blake Valley and Beau Bozett for the longest such streak on the team this year... during that streak, Giarratano has tallied hits in 10 of the 13 games and is hitting .277 with a .382 on base pct... junior OF/IF Matt Sinatro has been on a tear of late, hitting .452 (14 for 31) over his last 10 games, tallying seven walks, nine runs scored and four RBI... he has hit safely in his last nine games, the longest current streak on the team... his on base percentage over that span sits at .561... not to be outdone is redshirt junior IF Allen Smoot, who is hitting at a .417 clip over his last 10 games... Smoot has collected three doubles, seven RBI and eight walks with a .523 on base pct. over that stretch.
 
Head Coach Nino Giarratano has turned to junior righty Mack Meyer and senior lefty Frank Waliczek by far more than anyone else out of the pen, as they lead the WCC and sit at 11th in the NCAA in appearances (22)... junior right-hander Joey Carney has stepped up with a team-leading 4 for 4 in save chances... Carney has allowed just two baserunners over his last six appearances while recording all four of his saves over that span... Carney ranks fourth in the conference in saves.     
 
ABOUT SAN DIEGO
The Toreros come into the weekend at 20-20 overall and 7-8 in West Coast Conference play. USD is coming off a 5-4 loss at home to UC Riverside this past Tuesday after taking two of three against Santa Clara at home last weekend.
 
Bryson Brigman leads the Toreros at the plate with a .373 average, 11 RBI and a team-best 12 stolen bases. Ryan Kirby has chipped in, hitting .366 with five home runs and a team-leading 29 RBI.
 
As a team, USD is hitting at a .276 clip, good for fifth in the conference, however the Toreros' 84 doubles rank 14th in the NCAA coming into the series. Meanwhile, the Torero pitching staff holds a 5.50 ERA with opposing hitters batting .294 against them. Nathan Kuchta leads the team with five saves on the year.   
  
THE SERIES
The Dons are 53-78 against San Diego since 1976 (the last year records are available), including a 32-34 record at home against the Toreros. The Dons have won four of the last six meetings between the two teams after sweeping last year's series in San Diego.