Jan. 28, 1997
USF Spoils Cal's Season Opener
SAN FRANCISCO - USF (1-0) used an eight-run fifth inning on its
way to a 13-6 victory over 25th-ranked California (0-1) in the season
opener for both teams today at USF's Benedetti Diamond. USF pounded out
16 hits off eight different Golden Bear pitchers for the victory.
"It's always good to start off with a win," said USF co-head coach Rich
Hill. "There's an old saying, 'You never lose your opener and you
certainly never lose your home opener.' I was really pleased with the
way we swung the bat today."
Cal led 4-0 heading into the fateful fifth inning before Peter
Quittner's three-run homer put USF on the scoreboard. After Tony Hurtado
scored on an errant throw to tie the score at 4-4, Troy Nakamura put the
Dons ahead for good with a two-out, two-RBI single to score Brad
Marshall and Aaron Hempel. The Dons' final two runs in the frame came
when Jermaine Clark singled home Brian Heintzelman and Nakamura.
USF added two insurance runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Hempel
and an RBI triple from Heintzelman. The Dons finished their scoring in
the bottom of the eighth with a two-out, two-RBI single from Colin Aita
and an RBI double by Clark.
Aita finished the day 4-for-6 (double, two RBI), while Clark (3-for-6,
double, 3 RBI), Hempel (3-for-4, RBI) and Hurtado (2-for-3, double) also
had multiple-hit days for USF.
John Furstenthal (2-for-3, double, RBI), Brian Oliver (2-for-3) and
Aaron Gordnier (2-for-4, two RBI) had the top offensive days for
California.
Owen McAllister (1-0) picked up the win with two innings of shutout
relief. Andrew Miller (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs
in 2/3 of an inning.
Cal returns to the diamond on Thursday when it faces Hawaii on the road.
California 220 000 002 - 6 8 2
USF 000 082 03 - 13 16 1
Drese, Sumner (2), Nickle (3), Shirley (4), Miller (5), Cuccian (5),
Vorhis (6), Walker (7) and Hill. Igou, Bellig (2), Marchbanks (3),
McAlister (5), Rivera (7) and Quittner. WP - McAlister (1-0), LP -
Miller (0-1). Save - Rivera (1). Home runs: Cal - Schell (1); USF -
Quittner (1).
