March 2, 2007
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Inman | Marquess
Stanford, Calif. - Jeffrey Inman and David Stringer combined on a three-hit shutout to lift Stanford (8-5) to its sixth straight win with a 1-0 victory over California (7-8) in the opener of a three-game non-conference series Friday at Sunken Diamond. Inman allowed just three hits and struck out a career-high nine in a 7.2 inning outing that was the longest of his career before Stringer recorded the final four outs for his fifth save in as many games and sixth of the season. Adam Gaylord scored the only run of the contest when he singled with one out in the Stanford third inning, moved to third base on a Brendan Domaracki single and scored when Joey August beat out a potential inning-ending double play ball for an RBI fielder's choice.
"I had all my pitches working for me tonight, especially the changeup," said Inman, who became the first Stanford freshman to start the opener of a three-game series since former Major Leaguer Kyle Peterson in 1995. "I was throwing my slider and curveball for a strike. My guys played solid defensive for me and then David Stringer came in and got a big out for us there in the eighth."
"Jeffrey has pitched well this season, but not like he did tonight," added Stanford head coach Mark Marquess. "He had no margin for error tonight. That showed me a lot."
Inman outdueled losing pitcher Tyson Ross (1-3), who allowed just one run on five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in a complete game effort."I knew with Tyson on the mound, we were lucky to just get that one run," said Inman.
California had several chances to score despite coming up with only three hits.
In the second, Blake Smith walked but was picked off first by Inman. Jeff Kobernus restarted the rally with an infield single and the Golden Bears had runners on first and second after the second error of the night on starting Cardinal third baseman Ryan Seawell before Inman got out of the jam by getting Charlie Cutler to hit into an inning-ending double play.
The Golden Bears also had runners in scoring position in the fourth and the sixth innings but had their best chance to end Stanford's bid for its first shutout of the season in the eighth.
Pinch-hitter Mike Van Winden lined a shot down the left field line to start the eighth but a diving August flagged it down for the first out. Josh Satin would start a two-out rally with a single two batters later and the Golden Bears would have runners at first and second base after Gaylord's error on a grounder to the Cardinal shortstop. Inman followed by throwing a pair of balls to Ryan Hanlon before giving way to Stringer with a 2-0 count on the California cleanup hitter. Stringer threw two more balls to allow Hanlon to reach on a walk and load the bases before striking out Smith to end the threat.
David Stringer recorded his fifth save in as many games and sixth of the year in a 1-0 win over California on Friday |
"I just wanted to get the win for Jeffrey Inman tonight," said Stringer. "He pitched a phenomenal game."
Stringer made the California ninth routine by retiring the side in order.
Stanford had a runner in scoring position other than the third inning only twice when a Cardinal runner reached second base in both the first and seventh frames.
California left eight runners on base, while the Cardinal stranded five.
Neither team had a player with more than one hit in the contest.
Stanford and California continue their current series at Sunken Diamond on Saturday and Sunday with start times scheduled both days at 1 pm, PT. Stanford is slated start LHP Jeremy Bleich (1-1, 5.82) while California has yet to announce a pitcher. The Golden Bears are slated to go with RHP Alex Rollin (3-0, 3.98) on Sunday while the Cardinal's starter is still to be announced.
Tickets for all regular season Stanford Baseball home games are available online at gostanford.com or by calling 1-800-STANFORD. Tickets may also be purchased at the Sunken Diamond Ticket Office window one hour before first pitch on game days. For group ticket information (groups of 10 or more), call 650-725-2876.