6/7/05 – University of San Francisco Baseball News

USF’s Pitcher of the Year Follows in the Footsteps of Former Don Jesse Foppert Senior right-hander Nick Pereira enjoyed another memorable day on the Hilltop on Tuesday when he learned the San Francisco Giants chose him in the 10th round (312th pick) of the 2005 Major League Draft. Pereira is the second Dons pitcher selected by San Francisco in the last five years and the first since Jesse Foppert was chosen in the second round of the 2001 draft. "I’m really happy for Nick and his family," USF head coach Nino Giarratano said. "I’m really proud of what he was able to accomplish at USF. I’m really pleased the San Francisco Giants chose another one of our players and it shows the solid communication we have established over the years." Pereira was one of the key elements for USF’s record breaking season as the Dons established new school records for wins (38) and West Coast Conference wins (20). The ace for a USF pitching staff boasting a team ERA of 2.86, good for sixth place among NCAA Division I leaders, Pereira was recently a unanimous selection on the 2005 All-West Coast Conference First Team. Earlier in the season he was honored as the March WCC/Rawlings Co-Pitcher of the Month and collected three WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week awards in 2005. In helping the Dons win the championship of the Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic in Fresno, CA earlier this season, Pereira took home PJQ Classic tournament Most Valuable Player honors. During the tournament Pereira made two starts and earned two victories, including a complete game one-hit shutout in the Championship game over Fresno State and took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. In his two victories, Pereira threw 17 scoreless, limiting his opponents to five hits, striking out 16 while walking five. Opponents hit .093 off Pereira during the tournament. On the season, Pereira is 10-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 16 starts. Pereira has thrown 106.0 innings, giving up 90 hits, striking out 93, while walking 33. Opponents are batting .230 off Pereira this season, while left-handers manage just a .186 average. Earlier in the season Pereira had a scoreless innings streak of 23.1 innings. In recognition for his outstanding efforts on the mound, Pereira earned the "Jesse Foppert Award" presented to the Diamond Dons top pitcher. During his two-year career on the Hilltop, Pereira posted a 2.39 ERA in 143.1 innings – good for third place on the Dons career charts – and owned a career strikeout/walk ratio of 124/44, including a stellar 93/33 in 2005.