STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford finished the 2020 campaign at 5-11 overall, completing nearly one month of nonconference play before the season was shortened by the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Cardinal maintained a top-25 ranking for the first two weeks of the season despite underclassmen accounting for 60 percent of its overall roster. Stanford took two of three against Grand Canyon for its lone series win while its signature victory was a 5-4 upset of No. 16 Michigan on March 3 at Sunken Diamond. Stanford's season was then canceled prior to the Pac-12 opener against California following its annual break for final exams.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
There was a youth movement on The Farm in 2020, as 12 freshmen made their collegiate debuts overall while six of those positional players started at least six games. The group was led by Brock Jones, who was the only Cardinal player to start every game while sharing the team lead in hits (13) and ranking second in total bases (18). Cole Hinkelman enjoyed the most offensive success among the newcomers, with his .269 batting average in 10 games ranking second among all regulars to go along with four doubles.
STARTING ROTATION
Stanford's strength was a solid pitching staff that combined on a 3.50 ERA, which ranked fourth in the Pac-12, in addition to limiting opponents to a .240 average. The Cardinal boasted a consistent weekend starting rotation of Brendan Beck (2.82 ERA, 22.1 IP, 18 H, 6 BB, 25 K), Quinn Mathews (4.71 ERA, 21.0 IP, 4 BB, 14 K) and Alex Williams (0.51 ERA, 17.2 IP, 11 H, 4 BB, 18 K). Prior to being sidelined for the remainder of the season due to injury, Williams' 0.51 ERA led the Pac-12 and ranked No. 20 in the nation. After producing a quality start in a 2-1 victory over Cal State Fullerton during the season's opening weekend, Williams was named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week. Meanwhile, Max Meier (3.07 ERA, 14.2 IP, 12 H, 11 K) made four starts, mostly covering midweeks.
DEPENDABLE BULLPEN
The Cardinal showcased a dependable bullpen, with five different relievers sporting a sub-4.00 ERA. Leading the pack were Nathan Fleischli (1.29 ERA, 14.0 IP, 9 H, 8 K) and Jackson Parthasarathy (1.69 ERA, 10.2 IP, 10 K), who both finished with a sub-2.00 ERA. Zach Grech (4.15 ERA, 13.0 IP, 11 K) led the Cardinal in appearances (9) and saves (2) while Brandon Dieter (4.50 ERA, 12.0 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 16 K) flashed swing-and-miss stuff every time he took the mound.
SIGNATURE VICTORY
Stanford's signature victory was a 5-4 upset of No. 16 Michigan at Sunken Diamond on March 3, thanks mainly to a four-run sixth inning and strong relief efforts from Jackson Parthasarathy and Zach Grech. Trailing 3-0, Stanford responded with a two-out run in the third inning following back-to-back hits from Tim Tawa and Austin Kretzschmar. Parthasarathy covered 3.1 scoreless frames with two strikeouts in the middle innings, setting up Stanford's four-run bottom of the sixth. After Brett Barrera drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-2, the Cardinal produced three runs off two errors from Michigan shortstop Jack Blomgren. Leading 5-3, Grech escaped a jam in the seventh and closed the final 2.1 innings for his second save of the season.
18-INNING MARATHON
Stanford's lone series victory came against Grand Canyon, highlighted by a 3-2 win on Saturday and 8-2 triumph on Sunday. However, it was the 5-3 loss on Friday that made headlines, with the Antelopes prevailing 5-3 in 18 innings to match the longest game in Stanford history. The 5-hour, 45-minute contest wrapped up at 11:50 p.m. and was Stanford's third 18-inning game in school history. The Cardinal lost 5-4 to Cal on May 25, 2012 and defeated Arizona 5-4 on April 5, 2002 in its two other 18-inning marathons. Among the other statistical oddities: 577 total pitches (249 by Stanford, 328 by Grand Canyon), 119 at-bats (59 by Stanford, 60 by Grand Canyon), only three extra-base hits and freshman Carson Greene tying an NCAA record with six walks in his first career game.
PAC-12 PRESEASON POLL
Stanford was picked to finish third in the 2020 Pac-12 preseason coaches poll behind Arizona State and UCLA. The Cardinal was coming off a 2019 campaign that featured an NCAA Super Regional appearance and a 45-14 overall record. Head coach David Esquer has compiled a 96-37 record in three seasons on The Farm.
