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Baseball

Stanford Posts 6-3 Win at Oregon in Series Rubber Game

April 5, 2009

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EUGENE, Ore. - Freshman left-hander Brett Mooneyham pitched Stanford to a series victory for the second straight week, Drew Storen logged a seven-out save and Toby Gerhart drove in two runs as the Cardinal (11-12, 5-4 Pac-10) defeated host Oregon (12-17, 2-4) by a score of 6-3 this afternoon at PK Park. The rubber game victory gave Stanford its second consecutive series win in Pac-10 play, while the Cardinal has won seven of its last nine contests overall.

A week after shutting down Washington on one hit through 7.0 innings, Mooneyham (2-1) worked 6.2-solid frames this afternoon in Oregon. The freshman southpaw blanked the Ducks on one hit through the first four innings as Stanford built a 3-0 lead, and finished his day allowing three runs on five hits over 6.2 innings. Mooneyham struck out seven and walked two to earn his second straight victory.

Storen picked up his second save in as many days, entering in the seventh with a runner on and the Cardinal protecting a 4-2 lead. Pinch-hitter Mitch Karraker collected an RBI-double, but Storen rebounded to strike out Caleb Tommasini to end the threat. The Stanford closer also stranded his own runner on third in the eighth in a 4-3 game, and recorded the final three outs after the Cardinal scored a pair of insurance runs in the ninth.

Stanford jumped out to a quick, 1-0 lead in the first inning. Colin Walsh - who reached base safely three times - led off the game with a double, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Gerhart.

The Cardinal again played great fundamental baseball to add another run in the fourth. Gerhart singled to open the inning, Kellen Kiilsgaard drew a walk and Ben Clowe dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Zach Jones then followed with an RBI-groundout to score Gerhart.

Jake Schlander led off the fifth with a double that one-hopped the center field wall and chased Oregon starter Madison Boer (1-4). With Schlander at third and two outs, Gerhart hammered an RBI-triple down the right field line for a 3-0 Stanford lead. Adam Gaylord delivered a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score Jones for Stanford's fourth run.

Nursing a 4-3 lead entering the ninth, the Cardinal plated a pair of insurance runs off Oregon closer Drew Gagnier. Schlander and Walsh drew consecutive walks to open the inning, and were moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Joey August. After Schlander scored on a wild pitch, Kellen Kiilsgaard ripped an RBI-double to complete the scoring.

Stanford dropped down four sacrifice bunts this afternoon, Gerhart finished with three hits and two RBI, while both Walsh and Schlander scored a pair of runs apiece. August came up with the defensive play of the day, making a diving catch of a one-out blooper in the bottom of the seventh. That play, with a runner at first, was the final out of Mooneyham's outing, and saved the tying run from reaching base.

Stanford will host four home games this week at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond. The Cardinal will welcome San Diego (ranked No. 30 by Collegiate Baseball) for a Tuesday, April 7 contest before a three-game, Pac-10 series against UCLA from Thursday to Saturday. Tuesday's game will begin at 5:00 p.m. PT, Thursday's and Friday's contests are set for 5:30 p.m. PT, while Saturday's is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT.