June 4, 2010
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FULLERTON, Calif.-- Stanford (31-24) dropped its regional opener to third-seeded New Mexico (38-20) as the Cardinal's bullpen allowed four runs in the seventh, leading to a 9-5 Lobo win.
The Lobos took its second lead of the game in the seventh, as reliever Danny Sandbrink walked the bases full, before Scott Snodgress' run-forcing walk gave UNM a 5-4 lead. Chris Juarez' two-run single off of Brian Busick, the fourth pitcher of the inning, made it 7-4.
Stanford's bullpen walked six on the night, four of which scored, two in the seventh and two more in the ninth.
“It was an outstanding game. New Mexico impressed me with their hitting. They came up with big hits and big stops,” said Marquess. “Both [starting] pitchers pitched very well. Jordan [Pries] was tired at the end, and that’s when they started swinging well. “You can’t do (walk people) with good teams and at this time of year.” ”
Kenny Diekroeger had three hits and drove in two for the second-seeded Cardinal, including his second RBI single in the seventh to make it 7-5.
Jason Oatman (1-2) came on in the sixth and pitched the final 3.1 innings, allowing the single run in the seventh for the win.
The Lobos tied the game for the second time in the game with a sacrifice fly off Sandrink to make it 4-4. Starter Jordan Pries (4-4) pitched into the seventh, giving up five runs on seven hits, leaving two runners on base with a 4-3 lead with one out.
After New Mexico tied it at 3-3 in the fourth, Diekroeger's second single of the game in the fifth, gave Stanford a 4-3 lead. Tyler Gaffney and Ben Clowe homered to make it 3-1 in the first. The homer by Clowe extended his hit streak to 10 games, while Gaffney finished the day with three hits.
Dave Giuliani threw out Ryan Honeycutt at home plate on a single to center, to end the sixth, keeping Stanford up 4-3.
Stanford will play in the elimination game against host and top-seeded CS Fullerton at 4:04 p.m. on ESPNU. New Mexico and Minnesota are in the winner's bracket at 8:04 p.m.
NOTES: Stanford is 7-3 in opening round games since 1999 in NCAA Regionals... Gaffney and Clowe's homers in the first was the second time this season Stanford had homered twice in an inning (also at Santa Clara)... with Clowe picking off a runner in the second, the Cardinal have now picked off 13 this season... Gaffney's leadoff homer was the first lead off homer of the season... Giuliani threw out his sixth runner from the outfield this season in the sixth... Dean McArdle was interviewed by KTIV in Iowa, here is the interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58QmW9ALTuU... Stanford was playing in its 29th NCAA Regional and first at Fullerton since the 2008 Super Regional that Stanford won.