April 16, 2009
Complete Release and Box Score in PDF Format
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Six different Stanford players logged multi-hit efforts and the visiting Cardinal (15-13) set season highs for runs and hits in a 16-3, non-conference win over host Santa Clara (14-18) this evening at Stephen Schott Stadium. The big inning came in the sixth, when Stanford sent 14 men to the plate and scored 10 runs to break open what had been a 5-2 game.
Stanford, which has matched its season-best with three straight wins, has won six of its past seven games, nine of its past 11 contests and is 11-3 in its last 14 outings. The Cardinal is also 5-1 in its last six road games, and has won its past five non-conference, midweek contests.
10 different Stanford players had at least one hit in a season-best 17-hit onslaught, as the Cardinal received contributions from its entire lineup. Leadoff hitter Colin Walsh went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, a double and two RBI, third-place hitter Toby Gerhart belted a solo homer, Brent Milleville went 2-for-4 with two RBI out of the five hole and the seven through nine hitters combined for six runs scored and five RBI. Adam Gaylord finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI, ninth-place hitter Jake Schlander singled, doubled, scored twice and drove in a run, while Jonathan Kaskow delivered a pinch-hit, two-run double from the seventh spot in the order.
Freshman right-hander Brian Busick (1-0) was the beneficiary of Stanford's hit parade, retiring all six batters faced to earn his first collegiate victory in his initial start. He blanked Santa Clara over 2.0 innings, and departed with a 3-0 lead.
Gerhart got the Cardinal on the board in the first with a mammoth solo homer off Santa Clara starter Paul Twining (0-1). Stanford scored two more runs in the third and, after the Broncos got within 3-2 in the fourth, the Cardinal added two more of its own in the fifth. Schlander delivered an RBI-double and Walsh followed with a run-scoring single.
Holding a 5-2 lead into the sixth, Stanford erupted for its most prolific offensive inning of the season. Kaskow got the scoreboard whirring with his pinch-hit, two-run double, and Joey August's lone hit of the night was a single that brought home a pair. The inning's fifth run scored on an error before Milleville - who opened the frame with a base hit - lined a two-run single to right for a 12-2 lead. After Zach Jones legged out a run-scoring, infield single for his second hit of the inning, Gaylord capped the eruption by delivering a two-run single of his own. When the side was finally retired, the Cardinal had scored 10 runs on seven hits. Stanford also drew three walks, while Santa Clara committed a pair of errors.
Following Busick's start, Stanford received scoreless relief efforts from Michael Marshall (2.0 innings), Blake Hancock (1.0) and Brandt Walker (1.0).
Stanford will now travel to Tempe, Ariz. for a three-game, weekend Pac-10 series at Arizona State. First pitch for Friday night's series opener is set for 6:30 p.m. PT.