THE RUNDOWN
SAN FRANCISCO- The University of San Francisco Dons made it six straight, taking game two over the University of San Diego Toreros 4-2, while remaining unbeaten in conference play.
The Toreros got on the board first in this game, scoring an early run off starting pitcher,
Riley Ornido, in the first inning. Ornido began the game by hitting the batter but struck out the next batter. After conceding a walk and striking out another, Dan Gardner doubled to right field to drive in the run and make it 1-0, USD. Ornido would strikeout the final batter of the inning to keep the USD lead at one.
USF would bring the game level, however, in the third inning, which began with a bunt single from
Tyler Villaroman that stayed just inside the foul line.
Riley Helland would come up a batter later and single to move Villaroman to third base.
Michael Perri would drive in his 23rd RBI of the season with a sac fly to right field that drove in Villaroman.
A couple innings later the Dons would add two runs in the fifth. The inning began with a lead-off walk from
Thomas McCarthy. A batter later,
Jonathan Allen blasted his third home run of the year to left field to make it 3-1, USF.
Ornido, after conceding the early run, settled into the afternoon as he threw six scoreless innings while striking out an impressive 12 total batters.
The Dons would add a much-needed insurance run an inning later as USF got the best of the Toreros pitching with two-hits. After two quick outs, Villaroman got things started for the Dons with a double to right field. USD would then intentionally walk Allen to bring up Helland, who lined a single into left center field to drive in Villaroman to make it 4-1, USF.
After two scoreless innings, the Toreros wouldn't go down without a fight. For the second straight game, USD made things tough for the Dons in the ninth inning, which began with a lead-off walk.
Brendan Jenkins would come on in relief for
Scott Parker and got two quick outs. The next batter up, Tyler Herburger, singled up the middle to drive in the runner on third to make it 4-2, USF. The next batter up would beat out an infield single to put runners on first and second. Jenkins would bear down and get the final out through a fly ball to centerfield.
With this win the Dons improve to 18-8 on the season, while boasting an unblemished record in West Coast Conference play.
COACHES CORNER
USF Head coach Nino Giarratano
GAME STATS
- Riley Ornido takes over as strikeout leader following his 12 Ks on the day. He now has 55 for the season.
- Jonathan Allen's home run was his third of the season, second best on the team. He is now 5-for-7 in the series following his 4-for-4 yesterday.
- Tyler Villaroman's 2-for-4 day led to him scoring two important runs, including the fourth and final run for USF.
- Michael Perri added to his team leading RBI total, driving in his 23rd for the year.
- Riley Helland extends his on-base streak to 24 straight games, going a perfect 2-for-2 on the day and drawing one walk.
