PULLMAN, Wash. – Stanford (16-5, 4-2 Pac-12) had a number of opportunities to collect a series sweep, but fell just short after stranding 20 runners in a 10-9 loss to Washington State (13-10, 2-7 Pac-12) in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon.
The Cardinal seemingly had the game under control after jumping out to an 8-3 lead headed into the bottom of the fifth, but Washington State scored five times on four hits and five walks in that fifth inning to draw even.
Stanford surrendered a run in the sixth to fall behind 9-8, but plated the tying run in the eighth off the bat of Tommy Troy. While Stanford got the equalizer, Washington State stole the momentum, as Stanford had runners at the corners and nobody out but was unable to do any further damage.
Nick Brueser reached with a two-out single in the ninth inning to give Stanford more life, but he held at third on the ensuing double from Christian Robinson. Stanford would go on to strand both runners.
The Cardinal again had a prime opportunity to go ahead in the 10th as Stanford loaded the bases with one out, but Kody Huff and Vincent Martinez both struck out to strand the bases loaded.
All told, the Cardinal stranded at least one runner in every inning on Saturday, including 12 from the sixth inning on.
Senior Tim Tawa finished the game 2 for 6 with a homer and four RBIs. The round-tripper was the fourth of the season for Tawa, and the 20th of his career.
The Cardinal used seven pitchers on Saturday, with fifth-year senior Zach Grech ultimately taking the loss and falling to 4-2 after allowing the winning run in the 10th. Grech contributed a 1-2-3 ninth inning, but Kyle Manzardo led off the 10th with a double to put Stanford on the ropes. An intentional walk preceded a line out, but Grech walked Jack Smith to load the bases and hit Tristan Peterson with the first offering of the at bat to force in the run and hand Washington State the victory.
Stanford will now prepare to host California on Tuesday in a non-conference game at 6:05 p.m. PT.
