Results

USD vs USF Box Mar 30

SAN FRANCISCO -- The USD baseball team took an early 1-0 lead over the USF Dons but would end up being dealt a 4-2 loss for their second straight defeat in the series. Daniel Gardner provided an RBI double in the first that plated Tora Otsuka to get the Toreros off to a quick start against USF RHP Riley Ornido.

Ornido would shut down the Toreros over the next six innings and he would leave the game with 12 strikeouts through seven innings of work. He improved his season record to a perfect 6-0. The Dons (18-8, 7-0 WCC) knotted the score at 1-all in the third, but it was a one-out, two-run homer by Jonathan Allen off of Chris Murphy in the 5th inning that was the big blow. Murphy would eventually get out of a bases-loaded jam with two straight outs. Murphy (3-2) would leave after 5.0 innings of work having scattered five hits while striking out eight and allowing three runs.

In the 9th inning the Toreros (12-15, 3-5 WCC) tacked on a run with Otsuka knocking in Connor Doyle from third with a single to third base. USF closer Brendan Jenkins got Paul Kunst to fly out to center to end the contest and earn his 4th save of the season.

Nate Kuchta did a solid job over the final three innings, giving up just one run while allowing just two hits and striking out two. Second baseman Paul Kunst paced the offense with two hits in four trips to the plate including a double in the 8th inning. USF was led by Villaroma who went 2-for-4 with two runs.

The final game of the series is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday with LHP Nick Sprengel taking the mound for the Toreros.