SAN FRANCISCO – Three of the game's five runs game via bases-loaded walks, but the last one went in favor of the Dons as Harrison Bruce brought home the game-winning run by drawing a bases-loaded walk that gave USF a 3-2 win over San Jose State on Saturday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond.
 
Bruce watched four straight pitches from Spartans reliever Zach Tanner after Allen Smoot and Dominic Miroglio hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Michael Perri ripped a one-out single through the left side that loaded the bases for Bruce's walk-off walk.
 
"A lot of free bases," head coach Nino Giarratano said. "I thought we put together some good at bats early in the game. I think Grant was a lot better than he got credit for. He threw some good pitches that didn't go his way. I think any time you can give up nine free bases like we did today and still win, it shows you how well we played defense and how well we were able to wear it down and limit the damage."  
 
Matt Sinatro went 2-for-4 with an RBI double on the day, while Smoot turned in a 2-for-4 day with an RBI and Miroglio and Perri each collected two hits.
 
Shane Timmons was responsible for bringing in both runs for San Jose State (16-33-1) by drawing bases-loaded walks of his own in the fifth and seventh innings.   
 
As has been the custom for the Dons all year, the WCC's best defensive squad helped keep San Jose State at bay. In the process, senior shortstop Nico Giarratano became the WCC career leader in defensive assists when he fielded Johnny Mendoza's grounder in the top of the eighth to surpass LMU's Bob Sheldon (1969-72), who had 583 career assists as the previous record holder. Giarratano finished the game with six assists and how has 585 to his credit with five more games on the docket.    
 
"Speaking as his coach and speaking as his dad, I'm just proud," the elder Giarratano said. "I've seen all the work that he's put in from a very young age to attain something like that. It's a very unselfish record when you lead in assists. He's given his heart and soul to playing defense and playing great defense. It couldn't happen to a better player and a better kid, so I'm extremely proud of him."
 
Sinatro put USF (26-26) on the board in the bottom of the third when he stroked a two-out double into the right-center gap, bringing home Dan James, who had dropped a double in between the San Jose State left fielder and center fielder to lead off the inning.
 
An RBI single by Smoot in the sixth inning helped USF take a 2-1 lead. Sinatro had led off the inning with a single and swiped second for his conference-best 20^th stolen base to get into scoring position.
 
USF starter Grant Goodman allowed just one run on four hits over his five innings in the no-decision, but walked five and struck out two.
 
Right-hander Benji Post (5-2) picked up the win in relief by throwing two scoreless innings where he struck out a pair.
 
USF and San Jose State will play the final two games of the four-game series in San Jose. Sunday's matchup will feature a 7 p.m. first pitch from Municipal Stadium with the Dons sending left-hander Scott Parker (5-1, 2.32) to the mound. The Spartans are slated to start righty Joseph Balfour (0-3, 6.75).