SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Returning home riding a six-game winning streak at Benedetti Diamond, the USF Dons baseball team (6-3) is preparing to host a three game series with the Yale Bulldogs beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 11 starting at 10:00 a.m. before wrapping up the series at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 12. 

The Dons have thrived competing on the weekends as they're yet to drop a Saturday or Sunday series through the first few weeks of the season thanks in large part to the team's standout starting pitching from the weekend rotation. Also providing a big spark for the team at the top of the batting order, Harris Williams III has absolutely raked to begin the 2023 season as he leads the team in batting average, home runs, RBI and stolen bases while thriving hitting lead off. 

SERIES DETAILS:
 
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Yale vs. USF | 10:30 AM PST
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: USF – #24 Adam Shew, RHP (2-0, 1.64 ERA) vs. Yale – TBD 
 
Saturday, March 11, 2023
Yale vs. USF | 1:00 PM PST
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: USF – #41 Jesse Barron, RHP (2-0, 1.38 ERA) vs. Yale – TBD
 
Sunday, March 12, 2023
Yale vs. USF | 12:00 PM PST
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: USF – #16 Max Jones, RHP (0-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. Yale – TBD

THINGS TO KNOW:

• The Dons are looking to rebound after a tough weekday road matchup against San José State where they came up short despite Williams III hitting his second home run of the season, while freshman pitcher AC Cabrera tossed a scoreless inning in his collegiate debut.
• As an offense this season, the Dons are currently second in the West Coast Conference with 22 doubles as a team through their first nine games of the season showcasing their ability to drive the ball all over the ballpark. Once USF is able to reach base, they've excelled by bringing very aggressive as they lead the WCC with 25 bases swiped on the team as Williams III leads the team and league with nine, while JT Amaral is third in the conference with five bases swiped this season.
• On the mound, USF's weekend rotation is set to make their third starts of the season as the trio of Adam Shew, Jesse Barron and Max Jones have all excelled to begin their new season. Barron currently ranks fourth in the WCC with his 1.38 ERA so far, while both Shew and Barron each are tied for first in wins as both have picked up the victory in their first two outings of 2023.
• Providing tremendous versatility for the pitching staff while thriving in a variety or roles, Weston Lombard is tied for the WCC lead with a pair of saves this season in multi-inning outings, while also getting the start in both midweek games USF has played this season.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS:

• Through their first six games of the season, the Bulldogs have hit the ball all around the yard as a team as they've posted a .299 team batting average and boast a lineup that features five everyday players that are hitting .300 or better this season.
• Senior outfielder Jimmy Chatfield will be someone USF will have to key on as he's off to a blistering start this season leading his team with a .476 batting average while being tied for the team lead with two home runs while being the outright leader with eight RBI to begin his 2023 campaign.
• On the mound, Yale hasn't been able to find nearly the same amount of success as their staff has posted an 8.88 ERA with opponents hitting an astonishing .337 this season as they have only allowed one unearned run as a staff.
• Serving as a bright spot for the Bulldogs on the mound, junior left-handed pitcher Reid Easterly has posted a 2-0 record with a 3.27 ERA as he's done a good job of working around traffic on the bases as he's posted a 1.64 WHIP and has only struck out nine batters in his 11 innings of work. 

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.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at www.usfdons.com/shop.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge our department sponsor – Planet Orange  - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.