FRESNO, Calif. – The Dons had the offense clicking with Ross Puskarich driving in four runs and Michael Perri delivering three doubles, while the USF bullpen contributed a bend-but-don't-break performance as the Dons held on for a 7-6 win over Fresno State on Tuesday evening from Pete Beiden Field.
 
USF (16-17) led 7-3 heading into the seventh inning before a pair of RBI singles in the seventh and another run-scoring base hit in the eighth brought Fresno State within one. Right-hander Brendan Jenkins was able to close it out by picking up his second save, allowing just a walk in the ninth inning while striking out two of the three batters he faced.
 
Puskarich delivered a two-run single in the third that helped the Dons take a 3-0 lead before adding a two-run double in the seventh.
 
Perri, meanwhile, racked up the extra bases in helping get USF on the board with his RBI double in the first and doubles in the fifth and seventh innings. His double in the fifth put runners on second and third with no outs, but the next three Dons struck out.
 
"The night belonged to Ross Puskarich and Michael Perri," head coach Nino Giarratano said. "They helped us a lot at the plate. We had chances to break it open, but we let them get back into it. We need to tighten that up, but overall we did some good things tonight."
 
Fresno State (16-16) was held in check by USF starter Sam Granoff over the first three innings, mustering just a walk and a base hit through the first three frames. But the Bulldogs struck in the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back singles to start the inning before Aaron Arruda lifted a three-run home run to left field, tying the game at 3-3.
 
Fresno State threatened by putting runners in scoring position in the fifth and sixth before Benji Post and Scott Parker, respectively, could work themselves out of the jams.
 
Parker (3-1) picked up the win in relief with a scoreless inning of work where he allowed two hits and a walk.
 
Matt Sinatro and Dominic Miroglio each collected two hits and scored a run, while Dan James added a pinch-hit RBI double in the Dons' four-run seventh.
 
USF returns home to host Portland in a three-game series this week at Benedetti Diamond. Game one is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch on Thursday.