The weekend series: The University of San Francisco baseball team hits the road again for a three-game series against the UC Riverside Highlanders beginning on March 2 at 6 p.m. The Saturday game will begin at 6 p.m., while the Sunday game has first pitch slated for 1 p.m.

GAME INFORMATION

March 2 - 4, 2018
USF at UC Riverside
Riverside Sports Complex
Riverside, Calif.

Gameday Links
Friday, March 2 – 6 p.m.
LIVE STATS

Saturday, March 3 – 6 p.m.
LIVE STATS

Sunday, March 4 – 1 p.m.
LIVE STATS

Facing the Highlanders: The Dons haven't had the best of times in the past against UC Riverside, going 8-22 overall against them. However, more recently USF has had more success against the Highlanders, winning four of the last eight games. In the last series against UC Riverside in 2015, the Dons won the series 2-1.

Aces on the mound: Beginning with the Friday starter, Thomas Ponticelli, the Dons are putting out the season top arms to the mound. Ponticelli sits at 1-0 on the season, having last pitched against Sacramento State, throwing seven innings and striking out nine. Saturday's starter, Riley Ornido, is coming into this weekend still carrying a no-hitter. Ornido went seven innings against San Jose State, allowing just one walk and no hits before being replaced by Alex Pham. Finally, Landen Bourassa will take the mound on Sunday coming off an impressive bounce back start against Sac State. The junior transfer struck out 11 over seven innings.

Allen, the double machine: Junior Jonathan Allen has had an impressive start to his career on the Hilltop, tallying six doubles to lead the team in that category. Last weekend, Allen totaled seven hits, including three doubles and driving in four RBIs. Allen boasts a batting average of .400, which ranks second on the team in that category.  

Offense hitting stride: It wasn't just Allen that was bringing the lumber last weekend, with the 1-9 hitters making contributions. Seniors Michael Perri and Ross Puskarich both knocked it out of the park, with Perri blasting a grand slam that capped off a six run fourth inning for the Dons. Joining Perri and Puskarich in the weekend RBI category were Allen, Tyler Villaroman, Riley Helland, Aaron Ping, Brady Bate, Thomas McCarthy, Jack Winkler.