Punished by four uncharacteristic throwing errors at the most inopportune times, Stanford (0-2) dropped its second straight game to start the season on Saturday, falling 4-3 to Indiana (2-0) in 10 innings.
The score was knotted at two heading into extras, but Stanford freshman two-way player Quinn Brodey unraveled in the tenth inning — and it had nothing to do with his pitching.
After starting the game as a designated hitter in the seven-spot of the Cardinal lineup, Brodey later came on in relief of sophomore Brett Hanewich, who after throwing two scoreless innings had allowed the potential go-ahead run to reach second base. Brodey showed poise with his back against the wall in his first collegiate outing, entering the game in the middle of an at-bat and inducing the final two outs of the inning: a lineout to right and a groundout to third.
But in the top-half of the tenth, things went downhill after Brodey allowed a leadoff walk to Hoosier fifth-year senior Will Nolden .
Indiana senior Brad Hartong, hitting third in the order, then dropped down a sacrifice bunt, trying to advance the winning run into scoring position. Brodey fielded the ball, but his throw over to first sailed over the first baseman’s head and into foul territory.
Indiana’s next hitter, Scott Donley attempted another sacrifice, the ball again fielded by Brodey. But his throw over to first missed even higher than the first one did; Nolden came around to score and Hartong advanced to third on the error.
“There’s nothing you can say. It’s just two bad plays,” said head coach Mark Marquess. “But he’ll get over it, it won’t bother him. It’ll bother him now, but it’ll be alright.”
The Hoosiers went on to score another unearned run later in the inning — three out of their four total on Saturday were of the unearned variety — and eventually survived a scare from the Cardinal in the bottom-half of the tenth.
Brodey looked like he would have a chance to redeem himself at the plate after his yip-like throws in the top-half, as Stanford put the potential tying run on base after stringing together another two-out rally.
But junior Jonny Locher, who represented that trying run, attempted to steal second on a 2-0 count after getting the steal sign from head coach Mark Marquess. Indiana reliever Ryan Halstead grooved a fastball over the plate, and the catcher’s throw down to first beat Locher by two full steps.
Brodey’s impact on the game — he also went 2-for-4 from the batter’s box — underscores how big of an impact freshmen will play this season for Stanford.
“At the time, they’re the best guys to give us a chance to win. There is an element of growing pains but at the same time, we’re trying to win,” Marquess said. “So we’re just trying to give them experience and suffer the consequences. For freshman, it’s difficult because it’s hot and cold a little bit until they get used to it — the different caliber of play.”
Stanford’s pitching staff held Indiana hitters at bay, however, for most of the game. Starter Marcus Brakeman lasted six innings, allowing two runs — one earned — on four hits and striking out six. Hanewich allowed just one hit over 2.1 innings and struck out three.
At the plate, sophomore second baseman Tommy Edman went 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI.
Freshman third baseman Mikey Diekroeger hit a RBI double down the left-field line in his first at-bat at Sunken Diamond, eventually going 1-for-2 on the night also with two hit by pitches.
The series against Indiana concludes Sunday at noon, with Stanford triyng to avoid a season-opening sweep. Senior John Hochstatter will get the start for the Cardinal, and junior Jake Kelzer will get the call for the Hoosiers.
Contact Jordan Wallach at jwallach ‘at’ stanford.edu.