Feb. 21, 2009
Complete Release and Box Score in PDF Format
STANFORD, Calif. - A night after erasing a 5-0 deficit to win, No. 5 Stanford (1-1) nearly rallied from a 12-1 hole before dropping a 12-9 decision to visiting Vanderbilt (1-1) in the first game of a doubleheader at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond.
Vanderbilt pounded out 17 hits, and scored at least one run in the third through seventh innings. The Commodores belted three home runs, including a grand slam off the bat of Jason Esposito in the fifth. Curt Casali hit a solo homer, while Brian Harris connected on a two-run shot.
Trailing 12-1 entering the bottom of the eighth, Stanford erupted for seven runs. Joey August and Kellen McColl delivered sacrifice flies, with McColl picking up his first collegiate RBI. The big hit came from Adam Gaylord, who cleared the bases with a two-out, three run double that brought the Cardinal within 12-8.
Stanford scored once in the bottom of the ninth, as Jonathan Kaskow delivered a run-scoring single for his first career RBI. The Cardinal eventually brought the tying run to the plate, but Vanderbilt closer Russell Brewer recorded the final two outs for his first save.
Vanderbilt starter Caleb Cotham earned the win with 7.0 excellent innings. The Commodores right-hander limited Stanford to one run on three hits, while striking out seven and walking one. Stanford starter Danny Sandbrink suffered the loss after yielding three runs over his 3.1 innings of work.
Stanford, which was down 9-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth, got on the board courtesy of designated hitter Kellen Kiilsgaard. In just his fifth collegiate at-bat, the sophomore picked up his first career hit in impressive fashion by belting a solo home run to the opposite field.
Stanford and Vanderbilt are currently wrapping up their three-game weekend series with the nightcap of today's doubleheader.