STANFORD, Calif. – Leading 9-7 and three outs from a series win over Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon, Stanford (21-18, 7-16 ACC) surrendered five runs in the ninth inning as the Demon Deacons (28-16, 11-12 ACC) earned a 12-9 victory to even a three-game series from Sunken Diamond.
The Cardinal carried the lead into the ninth thanks to a four-run bottom of the eighth that turned a 7-5 deficit into the 9-7 advantage. The Cardinal scored the four runs on three hits – including singles from Ethan Hott and Cort MacDonald, and a two-out RBI-single from Jimmy Nati to cap the scoring.
Hott, MacDonald and Tatum Marsh all posted two hits in the loss, with Marsh and Hott also scoring a pair of runs.
The Cardinal could not have drawn up a better situation in the top of the ninth, handing the two-run cushion to its closer Aidan Keenan. Keenan, who is listed on the Stopper of the Year watch list, got the first out without incident, but Wake Forest strung together five consecutive singles to plate three runs and take a 10-9 lead. Hitting against reliever Ty Uber, Austin Hawke put the finishing touches on the five-run ninth, legging out a two-out infield single that allowed two runners to score as the throw to first was just late.
Tagged with the loss, Keenan dropped to 1-2 on the season, while reliever Matt Bedford was credited with the win and moved to 5-3. Rhys Bowie pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the victory for Wake Forest, converting his first save of the season.
Stanford jumped out to an early 5-1 lead after three innings, taking advantage of a pair of Wake Forest errors as Demon Deacon starter Blake Morningstar was tagged for all five runs - only one of which was earned.
Morningstar and Stanford starter Matt Scott both took no decisions after tossing five innings. Scott worked into the sixth, but was replaced after allowing a leadoff single in the frame. That run would ultimately come around to score as Scott finished with two runs allowed on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts.
Stanford and Wake Forest will decide the three-game ACC series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Freshman Parker Warner will get the start for Stanford, while Wake Forest will counter with fellow freshman Chris Levonas.