March 30, 2008
Box Score
Moraga, CA - Sophomore starting pitcher Scott Schneider (4-2) pitched well enough for the win, however a big second inning from San Francisco (16-11/ 2-1 WCC) plated five runs defeating Saint Mary's (14-10-1/1-2 WCC) 5-1 Sunday afternoon at Louis Guisto Field.
Schneider had no trouble getting out of the first inning, but the top of the second proved to be the difference, as the Dons collected five runs on six hits in the inning. Three of the six hits in the innings were infield hits to the shortstop, junior Joel Staples. USF's big hitting right fielder Kyle Morgan hit his fourth double of the series, clearing the bases which were loaded with Don base-runners.
On the day Schneider went eight complete, surrendering ten hits, five runs, all of them earned, two walks, and eight strike outs. After the second inning Schneider was in a groove, only giving up three more hits the rest of the game. In fact Schneider closed out his day of work striking out the side in the top of the eighth.
Offensively the Gaels were putting up solid contact on Dons starter Matt Lujan (3-0) but could only manage three hits, and one run. Lujan was in command all afternoon scattering the three hits, giving up just two walks, hitting one batter, and striking out two.
Staples went 1-for-3 extending his hit streak to a team leading 12 games. His hit went on to score the Gaels lone run as it brought in senior Kenny Fuglerud who walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning. Fuglerud then advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved over to third on a deep fly ball from senior Brian Hawkins.
Hawkins had a very frustrating day at the plate as the senior went 0-for-4 with three deep fly balls that kept finding the glove of Dons centerfielder Bobby Ethel.
Also collecting a hit for the Gaels was sophomore third baseman Michael Cippolla who hit a single up the middle in the bottom of the fifth.
Sophomore left fielder Kyle Jensen had a quiet day going 0-for-4; his last at bat, however, provided a brief wave of excitement as it looked like Jensen hit what would have been his eighth homerun of the season. Much to the dismay of the Gaels faithful in attendance, it was just a big league fly ball caught by Dons left fielder Zach Kim at the warning track.
Coming on in relief for Schneider in the ninth was sophomore Jimmy Munill who gave up a lead off single to Dons third baseman Dane Braunecker. Senior catcher Ian Gordon threw a strike down to second base to Staples to catch Braunecker on the stolen base attempt. Munill then retired the next two batters to end the top of the ninth.
The Gaels will resume play on Tuesday April 1st as they host the Gators of San Francisco State; the first pitch is slated for 3:00 PM.
