The Dons earned their 10^th win on the season in incredibly dramatic fashion. A furious ninth inning comeback saw USF walk away from game two against Grand Canyon with an 11-8 win.

"I'm so proud of the character of the kids," head coach Nino Giarratano said. "The way they fought was just great."

The Dons used three big innings to secure the win, but none bigger than the top of the ninth. Harrison Bruce led the inning off with a double down the right field line. Matt Sinatro then stepped up and singled him home, bringing the Dons within one at 8-7. Sinatro would steal second and hope to be knocked in, but it wouldn't come until there were two outs. That's when Ross Puskarich singled through the left side to tie the game up at eight.

Dominic Miroglio, who earlier this week was named to the Johnny Bench watch list, would then step up and crush a two-run homer (his fourth on the year) to give the Dons a 10-8 lead. Michael Perri would follow that up with a solo shot of his own (his first of the season) for good measure and an 11-8 lead.

Joey Carney (3-1) pitched both the eighth and ninth innings without allowing a run to pick up his third win of the season. This is no small note given the issues the Dons have had holding teams scoreless in the final innings.

"A lot of (being able to use Carney for two innings) was because of what we did yesterday," Giarratano said. "It was the great job Riley Ornido did yesterday to close out that game. We're buying guys time and that's how you get to use Carney late in the game."

Sinatro continued his resurgence in the valley of the sun going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI and two steals. With conference play on the horizon, it is a welcomed sight for last year's breakout lead-off man to get back on track.

"It's great to see (Sinatro) get himself going," Giarratano said. "And it's great to see Dom (Miroglio) get in there again and help us win; and Michael (Perri) get in there and get one too. Harrison Bruce has had a great series, too. Anytime we can go to different guys and different guys can step it really helps us."

Nico Giarratano continued to drive in runs for the Dons as he knocked in two more today to bring him to 13 on the season. Allen Smoot also came through today going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI.

The other two big innings were in the fifth and seventh innings. In the fifth Perri (3-for-4) started the inning with a walk. Manny Ramirez Jr. then reached on an error bringing up Bruce who would single home a run. Sinatro would then reach on an error setting the table for Giarratano. The senior shortstop would come through, singling home a pair.

In the seventh inning Brady Bate would pinch hit and get hit by a pitch for the second game in a row. Bruce would execute a sacrifice bunt, moving Bate to second. Sinatro then stepped up and doubled down the right field line. After Giarratano was hit by a pitch, Allen Smoot would deliver a two-run double.

Daniel Slominski got the start for the Dons and had his first hiccup in his inaugural season at USF. In four innings he allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out five. Benji Post pitched in three innings allowing two earned runs before Carney took over.

The Dons will look to complete the first sweep of the season tomorrow at 1 p.m. PST. Then they will return home on Wednesday to take on Fresno St. at 2:30 p.m. and you can buy a ticket by clicking here. Then, that following Friday is the WCC opener against LMU and you can buy a ticket to that game by clicking here.