Stanford (14-20) lost 6-5 on Tuesday night against Santa Clara (16-19) in a 10-inning game. The Cardinal’s strong offensive performance from their weekend series against Cal carried over into the first inning of the game, as Stanford jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Santa Clara responded, however, and pushed the next five runs across the plate, briefly holding a 5-2 lead. In the top of the sixth inning, Stanford managed to eliminate the deficit with three runs of its own. The game remained knotted at five all the way to the 10th inning, when Santa Clara’s nine-hitter Joe Becht drove a single through the left side of the infield for the walk-off win.
The Cardinal received quality production from the top of the line up, as Jackson, Diekroeger and Edman, the 1-2-3 hitters, each posted multi-hit games. Shortstop Drew Jackson and second baseman Tommy Edman helped spark the Stanford offense with two singles in the first inning. Pinch hitter Beau Branton then gave the Cardinal an early 2-0 lead with a two-out-bases-loaded single to right field.
The Broncos responded with a strong offensive outburst, scoring runs in four of the first five innings. Just as the game seemed to be slipping away from Stanford, its offense came back to life. In the sixth inning, Stanford put two runners on via walks and took advantage of the Broncos’ erratic pitching. Left fielder Johnny Locher cut into the Santa Clara lead with a single to left field, making the game 5-3. Locher would then come around to score and tie the game on a Jackson triple.
Stanford, once again, relied on the heart of its order to spark a ninth-inning rally. Edman and junior Zach Hoffpauir both singled to start the inning, and with two outs Jack Klein was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Catcher Alex Dunlap then struck out swinging and failed to push the go-ahead run across the plate. The wasted opportunity proved costly, as the Broncos took advantage of a leadoff double in the bottom of the 10th inning to record the 6-5 walk-off win.
Next up, Stanford hosts Utah for a three-game series starting on Friday at Sunken Diamond.
Contact Michael Woo at mtwoo ‘at’ stanford.com.