Cardinal Cruises Past CougarsCardinal Cruises Past Cougars
Baseball

Cardinal Cruises Past Cougars

Box Score

STANFORD, Calif. – An all-around effort by the pitching staff and a three-hit, three-RBI day from Kyle Stowers lifted No. 3 Stanford to a 5-1 win over BYU Tuesday at Sunken Diamond.

The Cardinal (40-8) finishes the regular season 9-0 in midweek games. Stanford has won its last 19 midweek games, a streak dating to April 26, 2016. The season also marks the 23rd time in program history Stanford has won 40 or more games, and the second in a row.

"Midweek games are easy to lose, and it's a testament to this team's competitiveness," said Clarke and Elizabeth Nelson Director of Baseball David Esquer. "There's some great leadership on this team – no one takes a day off, and they haven't taken these Tuesday games lightly. All that matters is taking care of business and finding ways to win."

Stowers finished 3-for-4, launching his ninth home run of the season off the scoreboard in the eighth inning to bump Stanford's lead to 5-1. Nico Hoerner added two hits, one run and one RBI, and Andrew Daschbach scored twice while going 1-for-4.

Zach Grech (3-0) got the win, with Austin Weiermiller, Will Matthiessen and Jacob Palisch, who picked up his fourth save, combining to allow no earned runs in relief. Stanford plated three runs in the bottom of the third, all unearned after a fielding error at third base. Hoerner's single scored Beau Branton before Stowers singled to score Hoerner. Daschbach then scored while Stowers was caught in a rundown between first and third to end the inning.

The Cougars (21-26) plated a run in the top of the seventh on a fielder's choice – it was unearned after Brock Hale, who eventually scored, reached base on a strikeout and passed ball. Stowers restored Stanford's lead in the bottom of the eighth, sending a 1-1 pitch beyond the wall in right center.

"Great job by our pitching staff today," said Esquer. "Grech came in on short notice after [Brendan] Beck threw his innings on Sunday, and it was a superb effort from start to finish from all of our arms."

No. 2 Stanford wraps up its regular-season home schedule this weekend when it welcomes Washington State to Sunken Diamond, starting Friday at 6 p.m. PT. Saturday's contest will begin at 1:30 p.m. with Sunday's finale set for noon. Stanford's annual fireworks night follows Friday's game, with senior day ceremonies set to precede Sunday's contest.

Cardinal Notes

  • Grech (3-0) was credited with the win in accordance with Rule 10, Section 25 B-3, which states a pitcher with a predetermined limit can earn the win despite not finishing 5.0 innings.
  • It was the 15th game this season Stanford has allowed five or less hits.
  • It was the 11th game Stanford has allowed no earned runs and the 26th game with two or less.
  • Grech's ERA dips to 2.64, Matthiessen's dropped to 2.03 and Palisch's stands at 1.83.