TUESDAY
USF (12-26) vs. San Jose State (11-24)
Tuesday, Apr. 19 | 3 p.m.
Benedetti Diamond | San Francisco, Calif.
Live stats: usfdons.com |
Audio/Video: TheW.tv (PBP: Vinnie Longo)
PROBABLE STARTERS
USF: RHP
Connor Brewster (0-0, 4.00) | SJSU: TBD
SAN FRANCISCO – The USF Dons (12-26, 7-8 WCC) host the San Jose State Spartans (11-24) on Tuesday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond for a 3 p.m. nonconference tilt. This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season after USF captured a 6-3 win at Municipal Stadium on March 15.
The Dons come into the week riding a big series win over WCC-leading Gonzaga this past weekend. USF couldn't have picked a better time to have a breakout weekend as the Dons enjoyed their first four true home games this past week at their brand new home ballpark, the newly renovated Benedetti Diamond. The Dons lost to New Mexico 12-3 in their home debut, but bounced back to claim a decisive 9-1 victory over the Zags on Friday behind senior righty
Anthony Shew's eight-inning gem. Gonzaga rallied for some late runs en route to a 10-2 win on Saturday before USF captured the rubber match 5-3 on Sunday as junior outfielder
Brady Bate played the hero with a three-run blast in the third inning that proved to be the difference.
Tuesday's action can be followed via live stats on USFDons.com and a live video stream on TheW.tv with Vinnie Longo on the call.
NOTABLES
Junior outfielder/infielder
Matt Sinatro has been on a tear of late, hitting .481 (13 for 27) over his last eight games, tallying seven walks, seven runs scored and four RBI... he has hit safely in his last six games... his on base percentage over that span sits at .583... not to be outdone is redshirt junior infielder
Allen Smoot, who is hitting at a .429 clip over his last eight games... Smoot has collected three doubles, seven RBI and eight walks with a .556 on base pct. over that stretch… a huge part of Sinatro's success this year has been the damage he inflicts once he reaches base... Sinatro leads the WCC and ranks 21st in the NCAA in stolen bases this year with 19 thefts in 22 attempts... he became the first Don since Bradley Zimmer in 2014 to steal at least three bags in one game when he swiped a trio at Cal on March 29...
junior shortstop
Nico Giarratano has played a stellar shortstop all season long, coming up with clutch defensive plays on a weekly basis... he has committed just two errors in 186 chances this season for a sterling .989 fielding pct... he leads the WCC in defensive assists (124) coming into the week.
ABOUT SAN JOSE STATE
The Spartans come into the contest sporting an 11-24 overall record and a 4-14 mark in Mountain West play after dropping two of three from New Mexico this past weekend at home. The Spartans have lost seven of their last eight games.
Shane Timmons leads the offense with a .361 average, a pair of home runs and 17 RBI, while David Campbell is hitting .345 with a team-best 11 doubles and 13 runs driven in. Ozzy Braff leads the club with five long balls and is tied for the team lead in RBI (19).
As a team, SJSU is hitting at a .280 clip with a 6.44 team ERA. Opposing batters are hitting .333 against the Spartans' staff this season.
THE SERIES
The Dons are 52-76-1 against San Jose State since 1976 (the last year records are available), including a 22-33-1 record at home against the Spartans. The Dons have won six of the last eight meetings between the two teams.
