Feb. 27, 2001
Stanford, Calif. - #9 Stanford (13-4) continued its hot early season start with an 8-6 victory over Nevada (5-10) in a non-conference game and the first contest of an 11-game homestand on Tuesday at Sunken Diamond. The Cardinal extended its winning streak to four games and has won 11 of its last 12 contests. Stanford, now 5-0 at home this season, will continue the homestand by hosting local Bay Area rival California in a three-game non-conference series this Friday-Sunday, March 2-4 (6 pm, 1 pm, 1 pm). The Golden Bears are also off to a fast start with a 9-4 record after defeating San Jose State, 5-3, on Tuesday.
Jason Cooper (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Jason VanMeetren (2-4, 2B), Ken Tirpack (2-4) and Arik VanZandt (1-3, HR, 3 RBI) led the Cardinal offensive attack. John Hudgins (1-3) was credited with the victory due to a predetermined pitching rotation, while J.D. Willcox recorded the final two outs to earn the save in his first appearance of the season. Jason Luker (3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) also had an effective outing in middle relief.
"I think we're getting better," said a humble head coach Mark Marquess. "The hitting has been in spurts, but I'm pleased with how the team is progressing."
VanZandt put the Cardinal ahead 2-0 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning, his second long ball of the season.
The Wolf Pack immediately answered back with three runs in the top of the second inning to take a 3-2 lead on a bases-clearing, three-RBI double by Ryan Strain.
Nevada's lead was short-lived as the Cardinal responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI fielders choice by Jonny Ash and an RBI single from Scott Dragicevich. VanMeetren had a key double in the inning.
Stanford added to its advantage with a run in the fifth on an RBI double by Cooper before scoring three more times in the sixth to take an 8-3 lead. Cooper also keyed the sixth inning with a two-RBI single and VanZandt contributed a sacrifice fly.
Nevada scored a single run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI single by Chris Dickerson and then made the game interesting with two more runs in the top of the ninth. The first run in the ninth came on an RBI triple by Dickerson, who eventually scored on an RBI single by Christian Popoff with one out. Bo Bryant followed with a single to put runners on first and second base before Willcox relieved Mike Wodnicki. With the go-ahead run at the plate, Willcox struck out Mike Gillies and forced Erick Streelman into a groundout to end the game.
Michael Hass (2-2), Bryant (2-3, 2B), Dickerson (2-5, 2 RBI) and Strain (1-2, 2B, 3 RBI) led the Nevada offense.
Nevada starter George Moran (0-3) was touched with the loss, giving up four hits and four runs in 2.1 innings.
The teams combined to strand a total of 20 runners on base with each team leaving 10.
The Cardinal was successful in both of its stolen base attempts and has now swiped 36 bags in 44 tries through 17 games this season.