SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Following a week away from the City by the Bay, the USF Dons baseball team (14-21, 5-13) is back to the friendly comforts of Benedetti Diamond as they will host four home games this week as they will take on the Fresno State Bulldogs (19-19, 10-10) on Tuesday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m. before welcoming East Bay conference rival the Saint Mary's Gaels (16-19, 10-8) for the first of a three game series beginning on Friday, April 28 at 1:00 p.m.
 
USF is looking to get back on track after a tough trip through San Diego dropping all three games in their series. One of the highlights of the weekend was the continued success of outfielder Will Asby who now ranks second on the team with his six home runs and is second on the team with a .519 slugging percentage. Also stepping up with a big weekend at the dish, Mattie Thomas connected with his first two home runs of the season against the Toreros at Fowler Park.
 
The Dons baseball family is ecstatic to host this season's Autism Acceptance game this Sunday, April 30 with a noon first pitch from the Hilltop.
 
GAME DETAILS vs. Fresno State:
 
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Fresno State vs. USF | 1:00 PM PST
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: FSU TBD vs. USF TBD
Watch | Live Stats
 
SERIES DETAILS vs. Saint Mary's:
 
Friday, April 28, 2023
Saint Mary's vs. USF | 1:00 PM PST
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: SMC TBD vs. USF TBD
Watch | Live Stats
 
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Saint Mary's vs. USF | 1:00 PM PST
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: SMC TBD vs. USF TBD
Watch | Live Stats
 
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Saint Mary's vs. USF | 12:00 PM PST
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Probable Pitchers: SMC TBD vs. USF TBD
Watch | Live Stats
 
THINGS TO KNOW:

• The Dons return home on Tuesday afternoon for their second matchup of the season with Fresno State as the Bulldogs won the first meeting in the Central Valley by a 7-5 final score. Christian Stapleton had a big evening in the first matchup as he went 3-for-3 and drove in three RBI in the close road loss.
• Putting together a good performance in relief, right-hander Gabriel Barrett as he threw a pair of scoreless innings in the series finale against USD as he's now thrown 21 2/3 innings this season.
• Continuing to excel on the bases this season, Harris Williams III has been a pest for opposing teams when he reaches as he currently leads the West Coast Conference with 20 stolen bases during the 2023 season.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS:

• Fresno State comes to USF this week with a .500 record overall on the season as well as in Mountain West action this season. The Bulldogs are currently undefeated against the WCC this season as they swept Pacific and took their first meeting against the Dons at home.
• At the plate, the Bulldogs have been led by freshman infielder Murf Gray who's his team's leading hitter with a .287 batting average five home runs and 19 RBI. In his first meeting against USF this season, Gray went 1-for-3 with an RBI single and a run scored.
• One of the key arms out of the Fresno State bullpen this season has been right-hander Jack Anker who has appeared in 16 games and made one start compiling a 4.25 ERA with opposing hitters posting a .263 batting average against him.

SCOUTING THE GAELS:

• Saint Mary's enters this weekend with a 16-19 record for the season but sit at 10-8 in the WCC which puts them in a tie with Gonzaga for fourth place in the league's standings.
• Leading the way at the dish for the Gaels has been senior infielder Christian Almanza, who is tied for second in the WCC with his 13 home runs to go along with 31 RBI this season.
• On the mound, senior right-hander Connor Linchey who has posted a 3-1 record to go along with a 3.04 ERA while allowing less than one base runner per inning with a WHIP of 0.99 during the 2023 season.

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 – BSN Sports- 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.