BERKELEY, Calif. – Sophomore Nico Hoerner celebrated his 20th birthday with a game-winning single in the 10th inning, and No. 10 Stanford topped rival Cal, 6-5, at Evans Diamond on Saturday.
Stanford (32-13, 14-8 Pac-12) has won 13 of its last 14 games, including nine of its last 10 Pac-12 contests. The Cardinal improved to 3-0 over Cal this season, and clinched the season series over the Bears for the ninth straight year.
The Cardinal held a 5-2 lead after Brandon Wulff's three-run home run in the fifth, but Cal rallied with two in the seventh and tied the game in the eighth.
In the extra frame, junior Matt Winaker drew a two-out walk and stole second to set up Hoerner, who lined one over short to bring home the go-ahead run.
T10: @nico_hoerner celebrating his 20th bday ?? with go-ahead hits in the 10th #GoStanford https://t.co/we0MoXvM9I
— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) May 14, 2017
Junior Colton Hock (6-1) retired the side in order to earn his sixth win of the season.
Cal scored first with a walk, stolen base and two-out double in the first.
Sophomore Duke Kinamon got the Cardinal offense going with a leadoff double in the second. He scored on a sacrifice fly from freshman Maverick Handley to tie the game at 1-1.
An inning later, Kinamon gave Stanford a 2-1 lead. The second baseman punched a single up the middle to bring home Matt Winaker.
Cal capitalized on another walk in the home half. The Bears stole second again and got the tying run home with a two-out single.
It remained tied until Wulff pounded a line drive over the wall in left field. His fourth home run of the year gave Stanford the three-run lead.
Starter Kris Bubic exited after six strong innings. He allowed just four hits and two runs, and struck out seven.
The Bears rallied with two in the seventh, and Denis Karas tied the game with a solo home run in the eighth.
NUMBERS…
Hock pitched three innings, allowed one run, and struck out four. Hoerner was 2-for-6, and Kinamon was 2-for-5. Senior Jack Klein was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. Both teams finished with nine hits.
AND NOTABLES
It marked the 2,499th career game for head coach Mark Marquess … Winaker has reached base in 16 consecutive games—a career best and the longest streak of the season for the Cardinal … Stanford is now 29-0 when tied or leading after seven innings … The Cardinal is 20-1 this year when not committing an error.
WHAT'S AHEAD
Two more Cal-Stanford games remain with head coach Mark Marquess in the dugout. Junior Andrew Summerville will be on the hill on for Sunday's noon start, and senior Chris Castellanos will take the bump for the series finale on Monday at 6 p.m. PT. Both games can be seen on Pac-12 Networks.
Stanford has one more home series remaining. Friday (6 p.m.) is Fireworks Night, Saturday (2 p.m.) is Coach Marquess bobblehead and trading card giveaway day, and the final chance to see No. 9 in the Stanford dugout at Sunken Diamond is Senior Day on Sunday at 1 p.m.
SOCIAL SCENE
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#GoStanford
Cal... pic.twitter.com/FL1LnTxpN8
— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) May 14, 2017