With game three of four in Conway, South Carolina beginning at 7 a.m. PST, it would have been reasonable to think the Dons might start slowly out of the gate. USF showed up ready to go from the first pitch, however, and they brought their power stroke with them. The Diamond Dons (8-4, 0-0 WCC) knocked off Winthrop 11-6 on the back of Dominic Miroglio and his two home runs.
 
In the top of the first inning, Nico Giarratano continued his hot weekend as he doubled down the left field line to score Harrison Bruce. Giarratano would drive in two runs in the game while going 3-for-4 and stealing a base.
 
"He's seeing it well right now," head coach Nino Giarratano said of his short stop. "He understands how he's being pitched and he's able to use the whole field. He's really put it together and we're all happy for him. He's really settled in and that hit to give us the lead early was big for us."
 
The Dons would score in seven of the nine innings as they continued to tack on runs. In the second, Bruce singled home Michael Perri. Perri has really found his stroke this weekend as he went 4-for-5 with a steal and two runs scored against Winthrop. The transfer from Pepperdine had a slow start to the season, but is finding his way as a Don.
 
"Today was great for Michael," Giarratano said. "We always knew he was going to be a good offensive player. He struggled early, but he's starting to get going now. Whenever we can add another hot hitter it makes us that much tougher."
 
Miroglio would smack the first of his two homers in the third inning with the other coming in the ninth. The two long balls would bring Miroglio to three homers on the season, all of which have come this weekend.
 
"Dom swung it good today," Giarratano said. "It's a great time for him to get started, and he has started driving the ball."
 
Aaron Ping also homered in the game, his first on the year, as he would park one over the left field fence in the fourth inning.
 
In the seventh inning Ross Puskarich would record his only hit of the game when he singled through the left side to drive home Bruce. The hit would mark the 29^th straight game in which Puskarich has done so dating back to last season.
 
Manny Ramirez Jr. would drive in his fifth run on the season with an RBI groundout in the eighth. Giarratano would then single home Ping to stretch the lead to 8-4. Then Giarratano would steal second and Matt Sinatro would score from third base on the throw down. Allen Smoot would then become the first Don in double-digit RBI territory this season when he knocked in Giarratano for his 10^th RBI of the year.
 
Daniel Slominski got the start for USF and was solid. The transfer went six innings allowing only two earned runs on three hits while striking out five.
 
"He was good today," Giarratano said. "His velocity was down a little, but he gave us a strong six innings. His breaking ball was sharp today and his change-up was really good."
 
Next up for the Dons is one more game against No. 18 Coastal Carolina. USF had the Chanticleer on the ropes Friday night and will look to finish the job on Sunday.
 
"We just have to play nine innings," Giarratano said. "We gave up too many runs late. That has been our nemesis in all the losses we have had."
 
First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 9 a.m. PST. After that the Dons will return home for a week of rest and practice before heading right back out on the road to play three games against Grand Canyon University in Arizona. The next time the Diamond Dons will see Benedetti Diamond is on March 15 at 3 p.m. when they host Fresno State. You can purchase a ticket to that game by clicking here.