John Lindroos
Green and gold swarmed the stands of Oracle Park on April 23, as more than 2,000 USF students, alumni and faculty showed up to watch the San Francisco Giants face the Milwaukee Brewers for the 10th Annual Giants USF night.
Much of the USF community repped the co-branded Giants x USF long sleeved hoodie, which was the special event item that the USF community could pick up at the stadium with a purchased ticket. Being a cold and windy evening, others also wore their Giants x USF beanies, which was the special event item given out the previous year.
Prior to the game, Interim President John P. Fitzgibbons S.J. threw the ceremonial pitch and the USF spirit squad performed on the field.
Kyle Martinez, a USF alum from the class of 2023, said, “I’m here to watch the Giants game with my friends and also to reconnect with some of my old friends from USF […] It’s just one of those days where we all got off early from work, and we can just have fun together and watch some home runs, watch some dingers, watch [Giants pitcher] Logan Webb strike some people out tonight.”
Martinez said that he has been to Giants games in the past with his USF friends but never on USF night. When asked about his predictions for the game, he said, “Probably a low scoring game, but I’m just here for the garlic fries and those hot dogs. […] Probably like three garlic fries for me.”
Shifting focus towards the field, the Giants and Brewers started as Martinez expected, with both teams scoreless through five innings. It wasn’t until the sixth inning when Giants infielder Wilmor Flores had a short center field hit, which resulted in outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and shortstop Willy Adames scoring. The Giants scored two more times in the sixth, pushing the lead to 4-0.
During a break between innings, Giants in-game host Anthony Garcia shouted out section 139, a dedicated USF zone, and encouraged those in the section to show their school spirit on the jumbotron. Those in front held up a USF flag.
Senior nursing major Isabel Partida, who sat in section 139, said, “It’s amazing, the Giants are killing it. It’s a great night to be USF night,” she said. “I’m here with my other nursing classmates. I came because I love the Giants.”
Partida said that she has been to every USF night during her time at USF. “I always come during the season, but I just love USF night. It just makes me feel so proud of being at USF,” she said.
During the later innings, occasional chants of “Jung Hoo Lee” broke out in the stands, as the outfielder is a fan favorite in the Giants community.
In the ninth inning, the Brewers converted a left field hit that resulted in two runs. Despite a final comeback attempt, the Giants won 4-2, winning three of a four game series against the Brewers, with the teams splitting the first two matches.
Reflecting on the experience, Hadley Dixon, a graduate student of data science and Giants fan, who went with her friends from the MSDS program, said, “It was really nice getting outside of the classroom and showing them a part of San Francisco that I grew up with,” she said.
“I have always enjoyed baseball games because the slower pace of the game puts more of an emphasis on the people you go with and the conversations you have. Being in the student section at USF Night takes that feeling and doubles it.”
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer; Managing Editor: Jordan DelFuigo; Chief of Copy: Sophia McCrackin; News Editor: Deeya Gupta; Sports Editor: John Lindroos
