USD Season Ends

FRESNO STATE 5, SAN DIEGO 1

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The University of San Diego baseball team saw their season come to an end with a 5-1 loss to Fresno State University Monday evening in the championship game of the Long Beach Regional.

With the loss, the Toreros conclude the season with a program-best 44-17 overall record. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 40-28 and have advanced to the Super Regional in Tempe, Ariz. to face Arizona State University.

USD Eliminates Long Beach State

SAN DIEGO 5, LONG BEACH ST. 1

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Junior left-hander Ricardo Pecina dominates on the mound to help propel the University of San Diego baseball team (43-16) to a thrilling 5-1 win over Long Beach State University (38-21) on an elimination game Sunday afternoon at Blair Field. USD needs to beat Fresno State twice (Sunday night & Monday afternoon) to advance to the next round.

Toreros Upset by Fresno State

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The University of San Diego baseball team was upset by Fresno State University Saturday evening at the Long Beach Regional with a 6-0 loss behind an outstanding pitching performance by FSU's Clayton Allison.

The Toreros will now return to action on Saturday in an elimination game against Long Beach State. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Blair field with the winner to play Fresno State at 5 p.m.

With the loss, the Toreros fall to 42-16 overall and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 39-27.

USD Football Annonces 2008 Schedule

SAN DIEGO (USD) - The USD football team, coming off a 9-2 season and Pioneer Football League title under first year head coach Ron Caragher, will play seven of their eleven game schedule in the friendly confines of Torero Stadium.

USD will kickoff its season with a rare Friday night contest on August 29th against the Marist Red foxes at 7:00 pm. USD, which was a perfect 5-0 at Torero Stadium last year, will be putting their 24-game home winning streak on the line. The Toreros will follow-up with another non-conference home contest against Azusa Pacific University on Saturday, September 6th (6 pm).
Following the first of two bye weeks on September 13th, the Toreros will begin Pioneer Football League play with back-to-back road trips to Campbell University (first year PFL member) on Sept. 20th in Buies Creek, North Carolina, followed by a trip to Des Moines, Iowa on September 27th to take on the Drake Bulldogs.

The month of October will kickoff with USD's annual homecoming game on the 4th against Valparaiso University (2 pm), with the Morehead State Eagles coming to San Diego a week later on the 11th (6 pm). Following their second bye, San Diego will close out the month of October at Jacksonville on the 25th.

November will see the Toreros play three of their final four regular-season games at Torero Stadium - Dayton (Nov. 1st, 6 pm), Butler (Nov. 15th, 6 pm) and UC Davis (Nov. 22nd, 6 pm) all come to town. The lone road game will be at Davidson on the 8th.
The Toreros will begin camp on August 4th. Approximately 45 players and 15 starters return from last year's club. For information on tickets, go to www.usdtoreros.com or call 619.260.7550.

2008 San Diego Football Schedule

Fri., Aug. 29th vs. Marist (7 pm)

Sat., Sept. 6th vs. Azusa Pacific (6 pm)

Sat., Sept. 13th - Bye

Sat., Sept. 20th @ Campbell* (1 pm)

Sat., Sept. 27th @ Drake* (1 pm)

Sat., Oct. 4th vs. Valparaiso* (2 pm, homecoming)

Sat., Oct. 11th vs. Morehead State* (6 pm)

Sat., Oct. 18th - Bye

Sat., Oct. 25th @ Jacksonville* (1 pm)

Sat., Nov. 1st vs. Dayton* (6 pm)

Sat., Nov. 8th @ Davidson* (1 pm)

Sat., Nov. 15th vs. Butler* (6 pm)

Sat., Nov. 22nd vs. UC Davis (6 pm)

* denotes PFL contest

Toreros Capture WCC Crown

SAN DIEGO (USD) - A hit parade helped propel the seventh-ranked University of San Diego baseball team to a 12-4 win over No. 13 Pepperdine University in the second game of a double-header in the West Coast Conference Championship Series Saturday afternoon at Cunningham Stadium.

With the win, the Toreros improve to 41-15 overall and have claimed their second consecutive WCC Championship Series Championship, and earned the WCC's automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals beginning next week. With the loss, the Waves fall to 36-19.

The Toreros will learn who and where they will play in the NCAA Regionals on Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. as ESPN airs the "Road to Omaha" selection show, revealing the field of 64 in the NCAA postseason.

Toreros Talk

SAN DIEGO (USD) - The University of San Diego baseball team remains in the top-10 as they moved up two spots to No. 7 in the latest Collegiate Baseball top-30 poll. The Toreros held steady at No. 11 in the latest baseball America top-25 poll and held steady at No. 12 in the latest Rivals.com top-25 poll.

Baseball Tickets On Sale
On Friday, May 23, tickets to the West Coast Conference Baseball Championship Series between USD and Pepperdine will be sold out of the Jenny Craig Pavilion Ticket Office.

Toreros Talk

SAN DIEGO (USD) - Junior All-American Brian Matusz recorded 14 strikeouts in another dominating performance on the mound to help propel the eighth-ranked University of San Diego baseball team to a 4-2 West Coast Conference win over the University of San Francisco Friday afternoon at Denedetti Diamond.

Toreros Talk

SAN DIEGO (USD) - The University of San Diego baseball team remains in the top-10 as they held steady at No. 8 in the latest Baseball American top-25 poll, fell two spots in the latest Collegiate Baseball top-30 poll to No. 9 and moved up to No. 10 in the latest Rivals.com top-25 poll.

Blair Named Player of the Week
Freshman right-hander Kyle Blair of the eighth-ranked University of San Diego baseball team has been named the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week. This is the second time this season Blair has earned this award.

Toreros Do Well
The University of San Diego men's rowing team set a new program standard over the weekend, racing into a set of Bronze Medals in the varsity eight and a set of gold medals in the novice four in the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. The Toreros also claimed second place within the WCC, with Gonzaga as the only conference school still out in front by a few seconds.

Toreros Talk

SAN DIEGO (USD) - Junior All-American Josh Romanski goes the distance and dominated on the mound to help propel the seventh-ranked University of San Diego baseball team (36-13, 14-3 WCC) to a 9-1 win over No. 13 Pepperdine University (28-14, 9-4 WCC), Saturday afternoon in a West Coast Conference game at Eddy D. Field Stadium to even the series at one game apiece.

Softball Loses

The University of San Diego posted a doubleheader loss Saturday afternoon against Sacramento State at the USD softball complex.

USD Baseball Moves to #7

SAN DIEGO (USD) - The University of San Diego baseball team has moved up two spots to No. 7 in the latest Collegiate Baseball top-30 poll, moved up three spots in the latest Baseball America top-25 poll to No. 8 and jumped up seven spots in the latest Rivals.com top-25 poll to No. 12.

Toreros Talk

SAN DIEGO (USD) - Junior left-hander Ricardo Pecina recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts and sophomore closer AJ Griffin ties the all-time career-saves record to help propel the ninth-ranked University of San Diego baseball team to a program-record 13th consecutive win over No. 25 Long Beach State, 4-2, Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference game at USD's Cunningham Stadium.

Toreros Talk

SAN DIEGO (USD) - A solid pitching performance from Ricardo Pecina along with 17 Toreros hits lifted the 13th-ranked University of San Diego baseball team to a 11-4 win over UC Riverside Tuesday evening in a non-conference game at the Riverside Sports Complex.

Espelding to be Inducted
On April 26, Susie Erpelding will be inducted into the Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame.

Golf Places 14th
Playing against ten teams that are ranked in the top 50 in the nation, the USD Toreros golf team placed 14th at the 2008 Morris Williams Intercollegiate at The University of Texas Golf Club (par 71 - 7,412 yards).

Grier Staying at USD

SAN DIEGO – USD men’s basketball coach Bill Grier announced today that he has decided that he is staying at the University of San Diego. Grier made the announcement in San Antonio, Texas, where he is there for the upcoming NCAA Final Four. Grier was in discussions with Oregon State University officials regarding their vacant head coaching position.

“I have decided to stay at USD because I strongly feel in my heart that this is what is best for me and my family right now,” said head coach Bill Grier. “USD is a great place and I look forward to working with our staff and players to continue building on what we have started here.”

In his first season Grier led the Toreros to an overall mark of 22-14. USD won 14 of its final 16 games, including winning the West Coast Conference Tournament title, and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Toreros knocked off 4th seed and 15th-ranked Connecticut in the 1st round before getting knocked out by a very good Western Kentucky club. The 22 wins were second most in school history, and USD’s three wins over top-20 ranked teams (Saint Mary’s, Gonzaga and UConn) bettered the previous program mark of two.

“We are extremely excited that Bill and his family are staying with our team at USD,” stated Ky Snyder, Executive Director of Athletics. “We look forward to him and his staff continuing their successful ways with this team and program. We couldn’t be more excited.”

USD Announces Coaching Changes

SAN DIEGO (USD) - USD head football coach Ron Caragher, who is just getting underway with spring football drills, has some new updates to announce for his 2008 coaching staff. With Dave Adolph retiring from his post as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator after four very successful seasons, Caragher announced he is promoting Steve Mooshagian to the position of Assistant Head Coach and wide receivers coach. Mooshagian, Jimmie Dougherty to Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, and Jon Sumrall to Head Recruiting Coordinator. Newcomers include George Darlington to Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs, Dale Lindsey to Linebackers coach, and Brandon Shelby to Defensive Backs Coach.

USD Falls To WKU

WEST REGIONAL -------------
(12) WKU 72, (13) SAN DIEGO 63 ------------------------------

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Courtney Lee scored 29 points to power 12th-seeded Western Kentucky to a 72-63 victory over 13th-seeded San Diego in second-round action.

After holding as much as a 15-point lead early in the second half, the Hilltoppers (29-6) briefly allowed the Toreros (22-14) to take a one-point lead with just over six minutes remaining. However, Lee helped Western Kentucky turn the tables on San Diego from that point on, hitting the final of his four 3-pointers to help regain the lead for good.

Western Kentucky finished with a game-ending 18-8 run, capped by six straight free throws from Lee, as San Diego was attempting to stage another comeback. San Diego made just two of its final seven shots.

The win moves the Hilltoppers into a "Sweet 16" matchup against No. 1 seed UCLA (33-3) on Thursday.

Toreros NCAA Tournament Preview

#13 San Diego vs. #12 Western Kentucky, Sunday, 11:40am, CBS

TAMPA - The University of San Diego men's basketball team (22-13) has advanced in NCAA Division I Postseason play for the first time in school history. USD knocked off 15th-ranked and No. 4 seed Connecticut in first round action, 70-69 in overtime. The Toreros will now take on No. 12 seed Western Kentucky (28-6) on Sunday in the 2nd game (11:40 p.m.).

The WKU Hilltoppers took down the No. 5 seed Drake Bulldogs, also in overtime, 101-99. Sunday's first game (12:10 p.m.) will pit No. 12 Villanova (21-12) against No. 13 Siena (23-10). This marks the first time in NCAA Tournament history that all four lower seeds have advanced from the same site into 2nd round play. The winner of the USD-WKU contest will advance to the Sweet Sixteen and West Regional in Phoenix, Arizona.

This is just the third meeting ever between San Diego and Western Kentucky. The all-time series is even at 1-1. USD lost the first meeting at Western Kentucky, 64-59 (1-5-89). The Toreros returned the favor the next season in San Diego, 72-66 (12-28-89

Grier Signs Extension With USD

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- San Diego coach Bill Grier signed a contract extension, the school announced Tuesday. Terms were not disclosed, but it has been deemed a multi-year addition to the contract he inked in March 2007.

Grier, who is in his first year in San Diego, has the Toreros seeded 13th in the NCAA Tournament's West Region, facing off against fourth-seeded Connecticut on Friday. "We are excited with the job Bill Grier and his whole staff have done this year," San Diego athletic director Ky Snyder said. "We are happy to reach an agreement on an extension."

The Toreros (21-13) upset Gonzaga en route to the West Coast Conference tournament title, building on one of the best seasons in school history and earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

"I'm very appreciative of the opportunity here," Grier said. "I feel very blessed to be here. I'm equally appreciative of how the school has helped our staff and how everyone welcomed me and my family. "I'm certainly excited about our future here, and hopefully, we can build off of this season."

USD Gets Cal in NCAA First Round

SAN DIEGO (USD) - The University of San Diego women's basketball team won't have to go far for their third trip to the NCAA Tournament as they will head up to Stanford, Calif. for the first round. USD draws California in the first round on Saturday, March 22 at approximately 1:30 p.m. at Maples Pavilion. The game can be seen on ESPN2 and listened to usdtoreros.com as well as on KALX Radio (90.7 FM) in the Bay Area.

The California-San Diego winner will play the winner of the first-round game between sixth-seeded George Washington (25-6) and 11th-seeded Auburn (20-11) on Monday, March 24 at the same location. George Washington and Auburn play on Saturday at 11 a.m., also at Stanford. The four teams are playing for the right to advance to the Greensboro Regional on Sunday, March 30.

USD Moves Up in Baseball Poll

SAN DIEGO (USD) - The University of San Diego baseball team has moved up two spots in the latest Baseball America top-25 poll to No. 19 and also moved up one spot in the latest Rivals.com top-25 poll to No. 20.The Toreros posted a perfect 5-0 record this past week as they began the week with a 6-2 win over No. 20 Cal State Fullerton, then on Thursday, the Toreros downed Western Illinois 3-1. USD then headed to the Hawaii Islands and posted three straight wins over the University of Hawaii - Hilo, with a 5-0 win and a 4-2 win in 10 innings in twin ball action ,then this past Sunday the Toreros routed the Vulcans 15-0 behind Kyle Blair's record-setting 16 strikeouts.

Freshman right-hander Kyle Blair of the 19th-ranked University of San Diego baseball team has been named the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week, the conference office announced this morning.Blair, a 6-3 freshman from Monte Serno, Calif., helped lead USD to a 15-0 rout over the University of Hawaii - Hilo this past Sunday as he set a new school single-game record with 16 strikeouts. He allowed no runs on only two hits in 8.0 innings of work to pick up his first collegiate win. Blair is now 1-3 overall, has a 2.49 ERA and leads the team with 41 strikeouts.

USD Prepares For Selection Show

SAN DIEGO (USD) - The University of San Diego men's basketball team will learn on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. who and where they will be playing in the upcoming 2008 NCAA Tournament.

The NCAA Basketball Championship Selection Show will air live on CBS beginning a 3 pm. The Torero basketball team will gather on campus with family, friends and invited guests. USD enters the NCAA Tournament after earning the automatic bid from the West Coast Conference as the No. 3 seeded Toreros downed top-seeded Gonzaga University in the championship game of the WCC tournament, 69-62, on March 10th. This marks the Toreros' fourth trip to the "Big Dance" in program history and first time since 2003.

This season's team is 21-13 overall and finished 11-3 in the West Coast Conference. First year head coach Bill Grier directed the Toreros to two wins over Top 25 ranked teams (Saint Mary's and Gonzaga) as well Kentucky at historic Rupp Arena in late December. The Toreros will enter the NCAA Tournament having won 13 of 15 games.