May 24, 2009
Complete Release and Box Score in PDF Format
STANFORD, Calif. - Tyler Waldron pitched 6.2-excellent innings and Oregon State (35-17, 15-12 Pac-10) scored three runs in the seventh en route to a 5-2 victory over host Stanford (30-25, 13-14) at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in the regular season finale for both clubs.
Stanford concludes the 2009 regular season with at least a .500 record for the 16th consecutive campaign and the 32nd time in 33 years under head coach Mark Marquess. The Cardinal also recorded its 30th different 30-win season under Marquess, doing so by virtue of a 26-15 run after a 4-10 start.
Prior to today's game, Stanford honored the six graduating seniors of its Class of 2009 - outfielder Joey August, right-handed pitcher Max Fearnow, left-handed pitcher Blake Hancock, infielder J.J. Jelmini, first baseman Brent Milleville and outfielder Jeff Whitlow. Those six players have helped the Cardinal to 132 wins over the last four years, along with two NCAA Tournament appearances, a pair of Regional championships, a Super Regional title and a third place finish at the 2008 College World Series.
Today's series rubber game featured an excellent pitching duel between Waldron and Stanford freshman left-hander Brett Mooneyham. Waldron (6-3) pitched into the seventh, allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits, while the right-hander walked one and struck out five. Mooneyham (6-3) battled through some wildness and a Cardinal defense that tied its season high by committing four errors, holding Oregon State to just two singles and a pair of unearned runs in his 6.0 innings. The southpaw issued six walks, but struck out four.
Stanford actually got on the board first today, when Colin Walsh led off the bottom of the first with a double. August moved Walsh to third on a groundout to second, while Toby Gerhart drove him in with an RBI-groundout.
Trailing 5-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Cardinal staged two-out, run-scoring rally that was sparked by Jelmini. In a pinch-hitting role, the senior beat out an infield single and moved to second on a throwing error by Oregon State third baseman Carter Bell. With pinch-runner Wande Olabisi on second, Adam Gaylord capped a two-hit day by lining an RBI-single into center field.
Oregon State scored unearned runs in both the second and third innings today, taking advantage of a combined three Stanford errors, three walks and a hit batsmen in those frames. Joey Wong's two-out, bases loaded walk plated the tying run in the second, and a sacrifice fly by Bell put the Beavers on top 2-1 in the third.
The Beavers then broke the game open with three runs in the seventh off the Stanford bullpen, with Koa Kahalehoa hammering a two-run double and John Wallace following with an RBI-single.
Hancock gave Stanford a chance to rally late, working 2.2-innings of 1-hit, shutout relief while retiring eight of 10 batters faced.
Oregon State closer Kevin Rhoderick recorded his ninth save with a scoreless ninth in which he allowed a single but struck out two.
Stanford and Oregon State will now both await the field to be announced for the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Championships. The 64-team tournament field will be announced Monday morning on a live, half-hour selection show on ESPN beginning at 9:30 a.m. PT.