SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Finding magic in the late innings once again, the University of San Francisco baseball team (25-28, 11-13 WCC) swept their second midweek opponent of the year on Tuesday afternoon when the Dons walked off UC Davis (6-29, 5-13 Big West), 6-5, at Benedetti Diamond.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- After both starting pitchers tossed a scoreless opening frame, the Dons got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI groundout from Brandon Greim as Mario DeMera came home on the play to give USF the early 1-0 advantage.
- Shortly thereafter, the Aggies responded with three runs on one hit and one error in the top of the third, which included a two-run single from Nick Leehey to put UC Davis on top, 3-1. Remaining close, Harris Williams III then laced an RBI double of his own in the home half of the third to keep USF within one run, 3-2.
- One inning later, the Dons continued to rally as they walked the bases loaded to begin the bottom of the fourth. Being patient at the plate, catcher Michael Campagna then drew his own base-on-balls to score Greim and knot the contest at 3-3.
- Moving into the middle innings, USF gained momentum in the home half of the sixth on another RBI double from Williams III, this time a two-run double, to put the Dons back in control, 5-3.
- Fighting back in their turn at the dish, the Aggies answered with one run in the seventh and one run in the top of the ninth to draw even once more at 5 all.
- Never losing faith, USF began the tenth inning with a single through the left side by Zach Freeman. After a couple balls in play advanced Freeman to third, Luke Keaschall delivered the clutch hit as the sophomore lined the game-winning single into left center field to give the Dons their fourth walk-off win of the season, 6-5, and their second sweep of a midweek opponent this year (also swept Sacramento State).
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
- Leading the charge offensively, Williams III registered his fourth three-hit performance of the season as well as his team-leading eleventh multi-RBI game. Overall, the senior finished 3-for-5 with two doubles and three runs driven in.
- Doing damage in the middle of the order, DeMera also tallied his team-leading sixth three-hit contest of the season as the versatile infielder went 3-for-5 with one run scored on Tuesday.
- Heating up as the postseason approaches, Keaschall has now reached base in 21 consecutive games. In the victory, the shortstop finished 2-for-6 with one RBI at the top of the order for the Dons.
- On the mound, right hander Sam Beck picked up his team-leading fifth win of the season after throwing a scoreless top of the tenth inning. Overall, this appearance marked the eighth scoreless outing of the year for the graduate student from Warren, N.J.
POSTGAME:
UP NEXT:
USF will host their final regular season series of the year as the Dons will welcome Pacific to the Hilltop this upcoming weekend to wrap up conference play. Live streaming and live statistics are available via the team's schedule page as all three games are scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm.
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF baseball program, be sure to follow @SFDonsBaseball on Twitter, @USFDonsBaseball on Instagram and @University.of.San.Francisco.Baseball on Facebook.
