Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – A reliever shouldered the load in the Dons biggest start of the season, and the University of San Francisco (23-18, 10-6 WCC) scored early and often to win the first game of a weekend series with San Diego 9-5, at Cunningham Park. The Dons moved one game ahead of the Toreros (25-17, 9-7 WCC), as both teams entered the matchup in a four-way tie for second place in the West Coast Conference.
Haden Hinkle pitched eight strong innings for USF, earning his conference-best eighth win of the season. The senior allowed a pair of runs in eight innings of work, allowing just three hits and striking out seven.
Hinkle took a two-run lead to the mound in the bottom of the first inning on a two-RBI single off the bat of Zachary Turner.
Turner, who hit his sixth home run to lead off the fifth and drove in his fourth run of the day on a sacrifice fly in the seventh, raised his average to .340 on the year. The junior came into the game leading the conference in hits and second in RBIs, and pulled with one long ball of
Bradley Zimmer (seven) for second place in the WCC.
After the Toreros pulled within one in the third, Turner's blast and a pair of runs in the seventh extended the USF lead to 6-2. The Dons added three more in the ninth on a bases-clearing double from catcher
Ryan Matranga that made the game's final score appear closer than things were.
Third baseman
Bob Cruikshank broke out of his slump with a pair of RBI doubles. The sophomore's 16 two-baggers place him among the conference leaders.
Bradley Zimmer had one of the stranger line scores you'll see, going 0-for-5, but stealing a season-high three bases and scoring three runs.
San Diego's Kris Bryant, in the midst of one of the best college seasons in recent history with 21 home runs, was 0-for-3.
“Haden was great for us tonight,” said USF head coach
Nino Giarratano. “His ability to throw strikes and keep hitters off-balance with all his pitches was very effective. He would have pitched the ninth if we hadn't scored three runs in the top of the inning.
“Zach had a big game tonight driving in four runs. The offense as a whole was very good tonight with contributions from everyone. We have a long way to go in this series, but it's a good start.”
The teams meet again tomorrow for the second game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Play-by-play and live stats are available at USFDons.com/live.
Inside the Numbers
Haden Hinkle's eight-inning start was the longest by a USF pitcher this season.
Line of the Game
Zachary Turner – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 4 RBIs, walk, stolen base (first of season), home run
