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BASEBALL FALLS TO USF, 6-1, IN SOGGY CONDITIONS
3/26/2007
 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — San Francisco scored twice in both the first and second innings en route to a 6-1 win over Sacramento State at a rainy Hornet Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The Dons improved to 14-12 with the win while the Hornets dropped to 9-17.
The game, which was a makeup from a rainout on Feb. 10, began in a heavy downpour and only let up for a few innings during the game. USF opened the contest with singles from Joey Railey and James Knoble before Luke Sommer was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Blake Nelson singled to right to score the first run and Brian Chavez drew a bases-loaded walk to make the score 2-0.
The Dons added two more in the second inning. With two outs, Knoble was hit by a pitch and then stole second. Sommer drove him home with a single up the middle. Sommer then stole second and scored on a single from Mitchell Bialosky.
The score remained 4-0 until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Hornets struck. Freshman Tim Wheeler had a leadoff double down the right field line and moved to third on a flyout by Blake Crosby. Following a pitching change, Ryan Blair greeted Cole Stipovich with a single to right to score Wheeler.
San Francisco tacked on its final two runs in the last two innings. In the eighth, Lucas DeLong doubled to right center. DeLong stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tavo Hall, who was robbed by a diving Montana Dye. The final run crossed in the ninth on an RBI single from Bialosky.
Freshman Chase Tigert threw 4.2 innings in his first start for the Dons but it was reliever John Quine who improved to 2-1 with the win. Quine tossed the final four innings and struck out seven Hornets while allowing only one hit.
Starter Cyrus Sarraf (0-3) took the loss for the Hornets. Sarraf lasted three innings and gave up four earned runs and five hits. John Schlager was effective in his five innings of relief with one earned run and four strikeouts.
Knoble led all players at the plate, going 4-for-4 and scoring three runs. He was also hit by a pitch to reach base in all five of his plate appearances. Sacramento State was paced by David Flores and Blair, who had two hits apiece.
The Hornets will next be in action on Friday, Mar.30, when they travel to Fresno State to start a three-game Western Athletic Conference series. Friday’s game will begin at 6:30 p.m.
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