May 27, 2000
STANFORD, CA - Stanford scored five runs in the top of the ninth inningto pull out an amazing comeback as the Cardinal defeated Alabama, 8-6,in the fourth game of the NCAA Regional at Stanford. Andy Topham's RBIsingle with two outs in the top of the ninth proved the game-winninghit. Joe Borchard's three-run homer earlier in the inning had tied thegame at 6-6. Borchard finished the game 3-for-5 with two homers and aseason-high-tying five RBI. Justin Wayne tossed his fifth complete gameof the season and his first ever in a post-season game. He improved to13-3 this year and 29-4 in his Stanford career.
The win moves Stanford into the Regional Championship for the secondstraight year. Stanford's entrance into the finals was similar to a yearago when the Cardinal scored five times to rally from three runs down todefeat North Carolina, 7-4. John Gall's three-run homer was the winningblow.
The Cardinal will play the winner of tonight's Alabama-Nevada loser'sbracket game. Stanford needs just one win Sunday to advance to itssecond straight Super Regionals. The winner of tonight's Nevada-Alabamagame would have to beat the Cardinal twice on Sunday to advance to theSuper Regionals. Tomorrow's Regional championship game begins at 1 pmwith a second game to follow if necessary at 5 pm.
The two-homer day for Borchard was his second of the season and thefifth of his career. He now leads the Cardinal with 18 home runs. Hisfirst home run was a two-run shot in the top of sixth.
Stanford led 3-0 after an RBI double by Chris O'Riordan in the top ofthe fourth and Borchard's first homer.
Alabama scored six runs off Wayne in the bottom of the sixth, the finalfour coming on a grandslam homer by Scott McClanahan. The Crimson Tidescored its first two runs of the inning on an RBI single by Aaron Clarkand a bases loaded walk to Casey Lambert.
Stanford head coach Mark Marquess was ejected following the walk toLambert and McClanahan homered on the first pitch from Wayne.Wayne settled down after the grandslam as he shut the Crimson Tide outwhile scattering five hits over the final 3.2 innings.