Williams Spins Gem In Loss

Box Score
 
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Sophomore Alex Williams struck out a career-high 10 in 5.2 innings on Sunday, but it wasn't enough as Stanford fell to undefeated Tennessee, 7-2, in the finale of the Round Rock Classic at Dell Diamond.
 
Williams shut down a high-powered Volunteers' offense, as he did not allow an earned run while giving up just three hits and walking two.
 
Tennessee took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second as the Volunteers scored two unearned runs following a Cardinal error, one of its five errors in the game.
 
The Cardinal got on the board in the bottom of the half, as Tim Tawa's infield single with two outs scored a run and led to a Tennessee pitching change.
 
Stanford tied the game in the bottom of the fifth as Cole Hinkelman doubled with one out, his second double of the day. Christian Molfetta then rocketed a double off the left field wall to score Hinkelman and tie the game.
 
The Cardinal had eight hits in the game - led by Austin Kretzschmar's three - to Tennessee's five, but the Cardinal left nine runners on base.
 
Tennessee took the lead for good in the top of the sixth. Following a leadoff single and a wild pitch, Williams struck out his ninth and 10th batters of the day before a walk to force a pitching change. With Austin Weiermiller in the game, Tennessee attempted a double steal and the throw to third went into left field, allowing the Vols to score an unearned run.
 
Tennessee loaded the bases in the top of the seventh with three straight walks to begin the frame, but the Cardinal struck out the next two batters before a wild pitch and single brought all three runners home. The Vols scored their final run of the game, another unearned run, in the top of the eighth.
 
Stanford is back in action on Tuesday night for a nonconference matchup at Cal. Then, the Cardinal returns to Sunken Diamond for 11 straight, beginning next Friday night with a three-game series against Grand Canyon.