March 25, 2006
Complete Recap in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Stanford, Calif. - Washington State (19-6, 1-0 Pac-10) scored six unanswered runs in the final two innings on the way to a 7-1 victory over No. 17 Stanford (11-8, 0-1 Pac-10) in the Pac-10 opener for both clubs at Sunken Diamond on Saturday. The Cougars snapped a 23-game losing streak to the Cardinal that dated back to 1978 with their victory and also won for the first time in their last 11 contests at Sunken Diamond going back to 1971.
Stanford starter Greg Reynolds (7.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) and Washington State starter Mike Wagner (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) were locked in a 1-1 pitching duel through the first seven innings before the Cougars scored three runs in the top of the eighth off Reynolds to hand him a loss that dropped his record to 1-2. Wagner (3-3) earned the victory before giving way to relievers Steve Kost (0.2 IP, 2 SO) and Nick Cebula (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB), who secured the victory by shutting out the Cardinal in the final two innings with Cebula being credited for his second save of the season.
Washington State had stranded a runner in scoring position four times in the first seven frames and was on the verge of repeating the feat in the eighth before Coulter, who had singled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and groundout, scored on a two-out wild pitch from Reynolds that was also ball four to Zach McAngus. Two pitches later, Jeff Miller followed with a long homer down the left field line that put the Cougars ahead, 4-1. Erik Davis (0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) relieved Reynolds and finally got the last out after allowing a walk, infield single and wild pitch.
The Cougars got three more runs in the ninth, taking advantage of a key throwing error by Stanford reliever Max Fearnow (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 SO) in the frame. Paul Gran led off Washington State's last turn at the plate with a single and Coulter drew a walk in the only two Cougars to face Austin Yount (0.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB). Fearnow then came into the game and made a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Jay Miller that allowed Gran to score from second base and the Cougars to end up with runners on second and third with still no outs. Jared Prince followed with a two-RBI single to complete the game's scoring before Fearnow retired the final three batters he faced.
Jeff Miller (2-5, HR, SB, 2 RBI), Jay Miller (2-3), Ryan Krauser (2-3) and Jim Murphy (2-4, RBI) had two hits apiece for Washington State, while Coulter and McAngus both scored twice.
Jason Castro (3-3) had the first three-hit day of his career and was the only Stanford player with more than one hit, while the Cardinal first baseman also recorded Stanford's highest putout total of the season with a career-high 15.
Stanford's Chris Minaker had his season-high 11-game hit streak come to an end two games shy of his career-high 13-game run last year by going 0-for-4, but did have a season-high nine assists.
Washington State took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when McAngus reached on Minaker's throwing error to lead off the frame, stole second and scored on an RBI single by Murphy.
Joey August tied the game at 1-1 when he drove in Castro for Stanford's lone run with a fifth inning RBI single. Castro had singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on Cord Phelps' sacrifice bunt.
Stanford failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities in both the first and second innings. Michael Taylor grounded into an inning-ending double play with runners on first and third in the first frame, while Prince snagged August's bases loaded line drive in center field to end the second.The Cardinal hit into a season-high three double plays that ended innings in the first and fourth frames, and negated Taylor's leadoff single in the ninth. Chris Lewis hit into the double play in the fourth, while John Hester's groundball was turned into two outs in the ninth.
Stanford and Washington State continue the three-game series on Sunday (1 pm, PT) and Monday (11 am, PT). The Cardinal is scheduled to start RHP David Stringer (2-2, 2.45) on Sunday, while the Cougars will counter with RHP Nick Ison (4-1, 2.92). Washington State has named Wayne Daman, Jr. (5-0, 2.38) as its probable starter for Monday's series finale, while Stanford has not yet announced a starter.