March 28, 2003
Stanford, Calif. - No. 24 Washington (19-7, 1-0 Pac-10) won for the 15th time in its last 16 games and spoiled the Pac-10 homer for No. 8 Stanford (16-9, 2-2 Pac-10) with a 5-3 victory over the Cardinal on Friday at Sunken Diamond. Sean White (4-3) scattered nine hits and one run over the first 7.1 innings before Brian Carter came on to get the final five outs and record his fifth save of the season. Chad Boudon (3-4, HR, 3 RBI) and Taylor Johnson (2-4, 2B, RBI) led the Husky offense.
Stanford's Carlos Quentin (4-5, 2 RBI) had four hits and extended his career-high hit streak to 13 games, while Jonny Ash (3-4) also tied a career-high with four hits.
Stanford did bring the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning but Carter retired Ryan Garko on a fielders choice to end the game.
Stanford starter John Hudgins (4-2) suffered the loss, giving up three runs and eight hits over the first 7.0 innings.
"Washington played a better game than we did and deserved the victory," said Stanford head coach Mark Marquess. "Washington is a very good team with a nice pitching staff and a balanced lineup from top to bottom."
"You've got to win them win you can," continued Marquess. "But, we just couldn't get it done tonight."
Washington jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Greg Isaacson and Kyle Larsen drew back-to-back walks to lead off the inning before an RBI double by Taylor Johnson drove in Isaacson with the first Husky run. Aaron Hathaway's sacrifice fly scored Larsen and Boudon drove home Johnson with a single through the left side of the infield.
The Cardinal put just two runners in scoring position in the first six innings before finally threatening in the seventh when Ash singled with two outs and moved to third on a double by Tobin Swope before White retired pinch-hitter Jed Lowrie to maintain his shutout.
Stanford broke through for a run in the bottom of the eighth inning when Sam Fuld led off the inning with a single to extend his hit streak to nine games, moved to second on a one-out single by Quentin and scored on an RBI double from Garko that chased White. Carter came on to retire the final two outs without allowing any further damage.
The Cardinal managed two runs off Carter in the ninth inning on a two-out, two RBI single by Quentin. Ash started the rally with a leadoff single and moved to second on a one-out single from pinch-hitter Donny Lucy. The runners moved to second and third base when Fuld was thrown out at first base attempting to bunt for a hit and Brian Hall walked to load the bases for Quentin.
Stanford stranded 10 runners, including six in the last three innings.
Stanford outhit Washington, 12-9, marking the eighth straight game the Cardinal has reached double-digits in hits.
Stanford has still won 13 of its last 17 games overall and needs to win the final two games of the Washington series to extend its series win streak to six in a row. Washington has won three of the last four games played between the teams dating back to last season.
The teams continue their three-game series at Sunken Diamond on Saturday and Sunday with the first pitched scheduled both days at 1:00 pm. Stanford RHP Ryan McCally (3-1, 4.05) is scheduled to face Washington RHP Jeff Peterson (1-2, 4.01). Sunday's scheduled pitchers are Stanford LHP Mark Romanczuk (6-0, 3.21) and Washington RHP Trevor Gibson (3-0, 1.47).