University of San Francisco Athletics

SAN FRANCISCO — Nowadays, Riley Ornido is a household name in the University of San Francisco baseball community and college baseball at large. But go back just two years ago, and it would have been hard to find anyone on The Hilltop who knew who you were talking about when you said that name.
 
In this week's spotlight on Riley, featured in the latest episode of USF's cable television show "Behind the Mask" that debuted on April 12, he and members of the Dons program talk about his rise from being a walk-on relief pitcher as a freshman in 2017 to becoming one of the best starting pitchers in the nation, and how he got there.


 
After appearing in just 13 games as a freshman with an 0-1 record and 6.14 ERA in 2017, Ornido was moved into the starting rotation in 2018 during the second week of the season and immediately became one of the best starters in the country. He finished 2018 ranked among the nation's top-100 in hits allowed per nine innings (17th, 5.81), WHIP (23rd, 0.97), wins (58th, 8), ERA (74th, 2.58) and strikeouts (93rd, 95). He was named to the All-West Coast Conference First Team after leading the WCC in wins and finishing second in WHIP, third in ERA and fourth in strikeouts. In his first career start on Feb. 24, 2018, versus San Jose State, he threw seven shutout, no-hit innings, his only blemish from perfection being a walk. And in his next start, he threw another 6 1/3 no-hit innings before finally surrendering his first career hit as a starter.
 
This season Ornido has continued his dominance. As the Dons' No. 1 starter, he has posted a miniscule 1.75 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. He has been part of all four of the Dons' shutout victories this season, and he is limiting opponents to a .217 batting average.
 
This weekend, Ornido and the Dons are in Stockton to take on Pacific in a three-game West Coast Conference series. Saturday's series finale at the Tigers is set for a 1 p.m. first pitch. Fans can find all live coverage links on USFDons.com.
 
Check local listings for your cable provider's station guide and additional air dates and times each month. Segments from the show, as well as past seasons of "Behind the Mask," can also be found on-demand on USF Athletics' YouTube channel.
 
To tune in to the show in the San Francisco Bay Area, NBC Sports California can typically be found on channel 698 for DirecTV customers, 438 on the Dish Network, 412-01 on Dish Hopper packages, 767 on U-Verse and 41 on most Comcast packages. NBC Sports Bay Area can be generally be accessed at channel 40 on Comcast, 41 on the Dish Network, 696 for DirecTV subscribers, and at 770 on U-Verse.