SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Wrapping up their second WCC series of the season, the USF Dons baseball team (10-10, 1-5) earned a gritty, come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the LMU Lions (11-10, 4-2) in 11 innings at Benedetti Diamond.
After a late rally in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game on an RBI walk from
Blake Atkins,
Will Asby took care of the rest as he led off USF's 11
th inning with a no-doubt home run to right field for his second of the season and USF's first conference victory of the year. The Dons received another tremendous start from right-hander
Jesse Barron as he pitched 5 1/3 innings while allowing just two earned runs and striking out four LMU hitters.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Following three scoreless innings to begin the game with both starting pitchers excelling, the Lions were able to break through with the first run of the game in the top of the fourth on an RBI single to give them the early 1-0 lead.
- LMU was able to add another run to their lead in the top of the fifth on a solo home run that would go to on to be their final run scored of the game as they led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
- Beginning their late game rally, Mario DeMera drew a key two-out walk and then came around to score on an RBI double from Michael Campagna down the left field line as USF drew a little closer trailing 2-1 through six innings.
- Down a run heading into the bottom of the ninth, DeMera was hit by a pitch to begin the inning while Campagna singled and Asby walked to load the bases for USF. Atkins came through with the plate appearance of the day as he drew a two-out walk on a full count to even the score at 2-all forcing innings.
- Following a third scoreless inning of relief from Oscar Lepe, Asby stepped up to the plate to lead off the inning and crushed a long home run to right field giving USF the 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
- Asby came through with the walk-off home run as he went 1-for-4 with a walk, RBI and run scored against the Lions.
- Making his fifth start of the season, Barron pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs to go along with five hits and four strikeouts on Sunday afternoon.
- Campagna made his first start as a Don at first base while going 3-for-5 at the plate with a big RBI double against LMU.
- Reaching base four times on Sunday, DeMera went 2-for-2 at the plate with a pair of walks and two runs scored as he played third base and then shortstop for USF.
- Coming to provide important relief, Weston Lombard and Lepe combined to throw 5 2/3 scoreless innings allowing only two hits and striking out four hitters.
POST GAME WITH THE DONS:
UP NEXT:
USF will now wrap up their five game home stand as they will welcome fellow Bay Area foe the California Golden Bears (10-9, 2-6) to Benedetti Diamond on Tuesday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m. Live streaming and live statistics for the contest are 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.
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 primary department sponsor – Provident Credit Union - 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.
