March 28, 2012
STANFORD, Calif.-- Austin Wilson went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and freshman Alex Blandino hit his first career home run as No. 2-ranked Stanford (16-3) defeated visiting Saint Mary's (14-9) 10-4 on Wednesday night.
The Cardinal broke out the bats in the fourth, taking a 9-3 lead, with five unearned runs in the inning. The inning ending groundout was bobbled by shortstop Darian Ramage, allowing the first of five runs to score. Wilson followed with an RBI single, before Blandino hit his first career home run, a three-run shot, to make it 9-3.
Stanford used a four-run second to erase an early 1-0 lead by the Gaels. An RBI double by Kenny Diekroeger tied the game, before an RBI single by Lonnie Kauppila followed by an RBI double off the wall by Jake Stewart made it 4-1.
Dean McArdle (2-0) in his first start of the season, gave up one run over the first 2.0 innings for the win.
In relieving McArdle, Sam Lindquist struggled in his 3.0 innings, giving up four hits, walking one, hitting two batters and allowing SMC to close to within 4-3 in the fourth. Stanford then answered with the five-run fourth.
Stephen Piscotty, a preseason All-American at third base, came on to pitch the ninth. He had not pitched since appearing in three games as a freshman. He struck out his first batter, then gave up an infield single and a walk, until a double play ended the night.
NOTES: With the rainout of UC Davis on Tuesday, this game was added yesterday... Saint Mary's came in with the nation's lowest ERA (2.04)... Stanford travels to No. 8-ranked Arizona for three games this weekend, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at noon. Saint Mary's returns to Sunken Diamond on Monday for a 5:30 p.m. game.