SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Remaining at home to host the conference's top team, the University of San Francisco baseball team (16-16, 5-4 WCC) will welcome No. 17 Gonzaga (19-7, 7-2 WCC) to Benedetti Diamond this weekend in a crucial WCC series on the Hilltop.
SERIES DETAILS:
Game One / Friday, Apr. 8, 2022-
#17 Gonzaga vs. San Francisco
RHP #45 Gabriel Hughes (4-1, 2.86 ERA) vs. RHP #30
Owen Stevenson (2-3, 3.89 ERA)
Links:
Watch |
Live Stats
Game Two / Saturday, Apr. 9, 2022-
#17 Gonzaga vs. San Francisco
RHP #33 Trystan Vrieling (4-1, 2.66 ERA) vs. RHP #18
Riley Ornido (0-1, 5.63 ERA)
Links:
Watch |
Live Stats
Game Three / Sunday, Apr. 10, 2022-
#17 Gonzaga vs. San Francisco
RHP #40 Owen Wild (3-1, 2.32 ERA) vs. RHP #41
Jesse Barron (3-2, 4.78 ERA)
Links:
Watch |
Live Stats
DONS AT A GLANCE:
- Last time out, USF fell to San Jose State, 4-2, in extra innings on Tuesday, Apr. 5. Prior to this meeting, the Dons battled back after dropping the series opener to San Diego last weekend as USF rallied to take the final two games of the series over the Toreros, which included a walk-off win on Saturday, Apr. 2. With the series victory over USD, the Dons recorded their second conference series win in a row after taking two of three from Portland just one week before.
- Wreaking havoc on the basepaths, sophomore Luke Keaschall currently leads the WCC and is tied for sixth nationally with 21 stolen bases in 32 games played. Notably, the speedster from Watsonville has already tallied a new career-high in stolen bases, having swiped eleven bags last season in his freshman year.
- Alongside Keaschall, Darius Foster also ranks third in the conference with 13 stolen bases while teammate Harris Williams III is fifth with 9 stolen bases.
- As a team, USF has enjoyed success offensively as the Dons currently lead the conference in home runs (28) and base-on-balls (130) while also tying for first in doubles (67) and stolen bases (56).
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS:
- In their last time on the diamond, Gonzaga routed Washington State, 12-0, at home on Tuesday, Apr. 5. Last weekend, the Bulldogs took two of three from Pepperdine to grab their third consecutive conference series victory.
- Recently, right-handed pitcher Gabriel Hughes was named to the 2022 Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List. Serving as the ace of the pitching staff for GU, the sophomore currently touts a 4-1 record and 2.86 ERA on the mound as he has been named WCC Pitcher of the Week twice this season in addition to earning NWBCA National Player of the Week honors once. Across his 44 total innings pitched, the talented righty ranks ninth in the nation in total strikeouts (65) and thirtieth in strikeouts per nine innings (13.3). Prior to the season, the Idaho native came in at No. 42 in MLB.com's 2022 Draft Prospect Rankings and No. 61 in a similar ranking by D1Baseball.com, the highest a GU player has been rated since Marco Gonzales in 2013.
- On the mound, Saturday starter Trystan Vrieling is currently fifth in the WCC in total strikeouts (53) while closer Michael Spellacy is tied for second with six total saves. As a squad, GU has delivered when it matters most as the Bulldogs are first in the conference in batting average against (.233) and shutouts (3) while also ranking third in earned run average (3.70).
- At the plate, Gonzaga heads into the weekend sitting third in the WCC in batting average (.279), fourth in on-base percentage (.363) and seventh in slugging percentage (.391).
TRACK THE ACTION:
Live streaming for all three contests this weekend will be available via the WCC Network and the
team's schedule page. Live statistics are also available via the
team's schedule page.
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF baseball program, be sure to follow @SFDonsBaseball on Twitter, @USFDonsBaseball on Instagram and @University.of.San.Francisco.Baseball on Facebook.
