By Steve Yingling

Tribune sports editor

Stephen Yarrow's role with the University of San Francisco Dons' baseball program has changed dramatically in the past week.

The reserve first baseman has now become the starting third baseman as the Dons move into the crucial part of their schedule. An injury in the starting infield prompted Yarrow's switch to third base.

Yarrow had his biggest game as a collegian on Tuesday when he went 3 for 5, knocked in a run and scored twice in the Dons' 13-9 upset of No. 6-ranked Stanford. The former South Tahoe High shortstop's RBI single in the eighth inning helped the Dons hold off the Cardinal, which had closed to within 11-9 in the top half of the inning.

Yarrow was 0 for 2 in San Francisco's 6-5 loss to St. Mary's on Wednesday.

In last Saturday's 6-5 West Coast Conference defeat to Gonzaga, Yarrow scored the tying run in the ninth inning. The Bulldogs answered with a run in their half of the ninth to win.

On Sunday, Yarrow was 1 for 5 with an RBI as the Dons beat Gonzaga 9-6 to take the series 2-1.

With an increase in chances to hit, Yarrow's batting average has started to rise. He's now hitting .250 with two doubles, a home and a triple. He has a .409 slugging percentage.

San Francisco (29-21 overall, 10-8 in WCC) plays host to conference-leading San Diego on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.