Derek Tate tossed his second consecutive complete game win

May 21, 2004

Chris Genung USF Single-Season Hits Leader (86)

(San Francisco) - Friday was graduation day at the University of San Francisco and the Diamond Dons Class of 2004 stepped forward to celebrate, lifting USF to a 9-5 West Coast Conference victory against Pepperdine in the final regular season series for both teams. Senior left-hander Derek Tate (6-7) went the distance for USF (27-30, 14-14 WCC) as the USF offense punished Pepperdine (24-30, 17-11 WCC) pitching for nine runs off 13 hits.

Tate tossed a seven hitter and struck out six and retired 10 straight Waves, beginning in the fifth for his second consecutive complete game victory. Senior catcher Nick Cirbo enjoyed a big day at the plate for the Diamond Dons going 2-for-3 with a three-run home run to deep left in the seventh inning and finished with five RBI. Senior designated hitter Joe Jacobitz went 3-for-3 with an RBI, while senior infielder Chris Genung added a 2-for-4 day and in the process set the new single-season hits record at USF finishing the afternoon with 87, passing Jacobitz who recorded 85 in 2002.

Sophomore outfielder Stefan Gartrell enjoyed a good day at the plate as well, going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Sophomore infielder Andrew Smith added a 2-for-4 day with an RBI, while junior infielder Cy Donald added a double to lead off the contest. Senior shortstop Armand Gaerlan's record hit streak was snapped, but he stepped up defensively.

USF jumped on Pepperdine senior right-hander Jacob Barrack (8-5) early scoring four runs in the first. Donald led off with a double, followed by a walk to Smith. Genung slapped an RBI single to right and then Gartrell sent a RBI double to deep left center. Jacoibitz then followed with an RBI single up the middle and Cirbo's RBI single gave San Francisco a 4-0 lead. The Diamond Dons scored again in the fourth on an RBI single from Smith, scoring sophomore outfielder Jonnie Knoble, who reached on an error, advanced to second on his 12th stolen base of the season.

Pepperdine got on the scoreboard in the fifth on a two-run home run by junior infielder Steve Kleen. USF bounced back in the bottom off a sacrifice fly to shallow left by Cirbo, scoring Genung who led off with a single, staking San Francisco to a 6-2 lead heading into the seventh. The runs were plenty for Tate, who retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh inning.

Pepperdine scored three more runs in the ninth, but the day belonged to Tate and the rest of the USF seniors. Sophomore infielder David Uribes went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI for the Waves.

USF takes on Pepperdine in game two of their WCC series Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Benedetti Diamond.

NOTES: Derek Tate leads the team with four complete games on the season... with 117.0 innings this season, Tate ranks fourth on the single season innings pitched... three current active USF players rank in the top three spots on the USF single-season hits list, led by Genung (87), Jacobitz (85 in 2002) and Gaerlan (82) is tied for third with former three-time All-American Tagggert Bozied... Genung with 52 RBI shares ninth place on the single-season chart... Cirbo with his sixth home run of the season now has 17 career long balls, good for a share of 10th place on the all-time leader board... with his three-hit day Jacobitz moves into seventh place on the career hits chart with 212, passing former teammate Jason Howard (1998-03).