March 17, 2004
Box Score
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - San Francisco scored five runs in the sixth inning to crack open a one-run game and give Lafayette a 6-0 loss in non-conference baseball action on Wednesday at Benedetti Diamond. The Dons scored five runs on four hits in the decisive sixth.
Lafayette starter Paul Fischetti struggled in the first inning, loading the bases while throwing 26 pitches. He escaped unscathed, however, as he struck out No. 6 hitter Nick Cirbo on a 3-2 curve ball. The Dons got to Fischetti for a run in the bottom of the second, when Stefan Gartrell hit a home run off the scoreboard just above the rightfield fence. The solo shot would go down as the game-winning hit in the shutout.
The Leopards could not convert on a solid scoring opportunity in the third inning when they loaded the bases twice. A 1-2-3 double play with Adam Rosenberg at the plate and a foul out with Adam Bucci batting quelled the potential rally.
The Leopard defense faced a serious challenge in the bottom of the fifth. A sure double play ball was hit to Ted Kramer, but Kramer threw the ball into leftfield. The Dons eventually loaded the bases following a bunt single. Armand Gaerlan lined a ground ball down the third base line where Ian Law made a diving stop. Law tagged the USF runner who had stepped away from third and then touched third base with his hand to force the unassisted double play. Fischetti induced a flyout for the final out of the inning as San Francisco held its 1-0 lead.
San Francisco (9-12) broke the game open with five runs off Fischetti in the bottom of the sixth. Cy Donald and Andrew Smith used consecutive singles to plate three runs, and the other two runs scored on a Fischetti throwing error and a passed ball following a strikeout.
Drew Moyer came on to relieve Fischetti with two out in the inning. Fischetti (1-3) threw five and two-third innings and allowed six runs on eight hits. Just one of the runs charged to him was earned. Moyer pitched well in his second straight appearance, allowing just one hit over one and a third innings. Matt Kamine also threw one inning of relief for Lafayette, scattering two hits in the eighth.
Brian Borgmann earned the win for the Dons. He threw the final four innings and allowed just three hits while striking out five. USF starter Nick Pereira threw four innings, allowing three hits on two walks and a strikeout. Reed Johnson threw the final inning for USF.
The Leopards (3-8) leave the San Francisco Bay area and travel to Stockton, Calif. for a three-game series with the University of the Pacific beginning on Wednesday.
