STANFORD, Calif. – A big day from sophomore Mikey Diekroeger led to a big rally as Stanford baseball overcame a six-run deficit to even the series with an 11-8 victory over USC on Saturday at Sunken Diamond.
The Cardinal (13-8, 3-2 Pac-12) trailed 8-2 in the fourth inning, and was down five entering the sixth. But that's when the Stanford offense exploded for five runs to tie the game, followed by a go-ahead solo home run by Diekroeger in the seventh, and two insurance runs in the eighth.
Sophomore Colton Hock (1-1) closed out the game and earned the win with three scoreless innings in relief. He entered with a tie game in the seventh, and allowed just one hit and struck out three.
USC scored five runs with two outs in the second inning, including the first of three home runs on the day -- Stanford's pitching staff had allowed just two home runs in the first 20 games (fewest in the nation).
The Cardinal answered with two in the bottom half. Sophomore Matt Winaker led off with a walk and scored on Diekroeger's double down the right field line. Freshman Duke Kinamon later scored Diekroeger on an RBI groundout.
USC (12-13, 3-2 Pac-12) came right back with two more homers and three runs in the top of the fourth.
Diekroeger, who went 3-for-3 with three extra base hits and a career-high four runs, helped to keep Stanford within striking distance. He doubled again and scored on freshman Brandon Wulff's groundout to pull the Cardinal within 8-3 after four.
It remained that way until the sixth. Stanford scored its first three runs with just one hit, and before USC recorded an out. The Cardinal took advantage of a hit by pitch, two walks and two wild pitches to get within 8-6. Junior shortstop Tommy Edman then laced a one-out, two-run single to left to tie the game and cap a five-run inning.
Diekroeger then untied the game with a home run to right field in the seventh. Two more runs came across in the next inning, including an RBI single from Quinn Brodey.
"We did a really good job of fighting back," Edman said. "I'm really proud of the way we didn't give up. It was a really good experience for us today."
NOTABLES: In Stanford's 13 wins, Diekroeger has five game-winning RBI this season ... Stanford scored 11 runs the day after they were shut out for the second time this season.
NEXT UP: Sunday's series finale and rubber match can be seen nationally on Pac-12 Network at 4 p.m.
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Nine unanswered runs to beat USC
Stanford rallies from six runs down to win » http://stanford.io/1RUr9SNOur 9 unanswered runs in 90 seconds »
Posted by Stanford Baseball on Saturday, April 2, 2016