Feb. 20, 2011
HOUSTON, Texas-- Austin Wilson went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Dean McArdle (1-0) remained perfect in his college career as No. 10-ranked Stanford (2-1) won the Sunday rubber game, at No. 17-ranked Rice (1-2) 6-2.
Sophomore Stephen Piscotty added three hits, as three Cardinal freshmen drove in all six runs.
Stanford broke up a 1-1 tie in the fourth with an RBI triple by Brian Ragira followed by an RBI single by Wilson to lead 3-1. Lonnie Kappulia's solo shot in the seventh made it 4-1. Wilson added another RBI single in the eighth to make it 5-2, before a Kappulia fielder's choice made it 6-2.
McArdle left with a 3-1 lead, pitching the first five innings, giving up one unearned run on four hits with four strikeouts. McArdle and Danny Sandbrink combined on a five-hitter.
Rice freshman Austin Kubitza (0-1) went the first six frames, giving up three runs on six hits for the loss.
NOTES: Stephen Piscotty made two nice defensive plays at third, one on a fielder's choice and another on an inning ending groundout on fourth... McArdle has never lost in his college career, starting the last three Sunday's of his freshman season prior to today's start, going 5-0 overall in 2010... Stanford has now won seven of the last eight opening series... the home opener is Tuesday at 5:30 p.m at Sunken Diamond... Stanford travels to Vanderbilt next weekend.