AUSTIN, Texas – A pitching trio shut out #23 Texas on the road -- for 12 innings -- and Stanford baseball earned a 1-0 win in the first of a four-game set at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Thursday.
Freshman Kris Bubic, sophomore Colton Hock and junior Chris Viall struck out 18 and allowed just five hits to lead the Cardinal to its third win over a Top 25 team in the first six days of the season.
Stanford (4-1) pushed across the game's only run in the top of the 12th inning. Junior Mikey Diekroeger knocked home the game-winning RBI for the third time this season with a bases-loaded fielder's choice.
But the big heroes of the night were on the hill for the Cardinal. Bubic struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches. He went on to strike out six more Longhorns in 4.1 innings of shut out ball. He allowed just two hits and two walks before he handed the ball to Hock, who was equally as impressive.
Hock pitched 5.2 innings in relief -- the longest outing of his career, and finished with a career-best eight strikeouts.
Hock was essential to Bubic's clean slate. The Bloomsburg, Pa., native relieved the rookie with a runner on second and one out in the fifth inning. He got a quick ground out and then stranded the runner at third with the first of many big punch outs on the night.
The first time Hock allowed a Texas baserunner in scoring position was in the ninth. But with two outs and runners on first and second, he came through with another strike out.
In the bottom of the 10th, the Longhorns loaded the bases with two outs. But Hock ended his night in emphatic fashion when he came up with yet another big strikeout.
Junior Alex Dunlap singled hard through the left side to start Stanford's scoring inning. Junior Jack Klein laid down a bunt and reached on a wide throw to first. Junior Tommy Edman sacrificed as well and that pushed pinch runner Alec Wilson to third and Klein to second. Quinn Brodey was intentionally walked and Diekroeger scorched one to third. Texas could not turn the double play at second and Wilson scored.
Viall picked up where his teammates left off on the mound. He did not allow a hit in his 2.0 innings of work, struck out three more Longhorns and earned the win.
Game 2 of this four-game series begins at 4:30 p.m. (PT) on Friday. Freshman Tristan Beck will make his second start. He earned Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week honors for his shut out performance in the season opener. He will face right-hander Kyle Johnston.
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