STANFORD, Calif. – Senior Tim Tawa broke a 6-6 tie in the eighth inning with a two-out RBI-single into right field, and sophomore Kody Huff added a three-run home run later in the frame, as Stanford (3-0) scored four times in the inning to beat Santa Clara (1-5) 10-6 from Sunken Diamond on Saturday.
B8 | ?? 7, ?? 6@tim_tawa DELIVERS AGAIN!
— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) February 28, 2021
The senior punches a single into right field to put the Cardinal back on top.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/PiqgdUYVZs
Tawa, who finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI, also delivered a tie-breaking RBI-single in the second inning when he punched a pitch into right field to chase home Brett Barrera and run the tally to 2-1 in favor of the Cardinal. Sophomore Brock Jones added to the lead one play later, lining a two-run home run out to right field to extend the lead to 4-1 through two frames.
E2 | ?? 4, ?? 1
— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) February 27, 2021
We have liftoff. ??@BR0CKJONES lines a homer to right field for his second of the season!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/0bxXo8B8mJ
The home run was Jones' second of the season, and the third of his career. Huff's home run, which gave Stanford breathing room headed into the ninth, was his first career round-tripper.
Santa Clara and Stanford traded a pair of runs in the third, with RBI-singles from Christian Robinson and Drew Bowser accounting for the Cardinal runs. Bowser, making his collegiate debut in a start at shortstop, finished 1 for 3 with the RBI. Fellow freshman Tommy Troy also recorded his first collegiate hit, jumping on the first offering he saw for a single to lead off the bottom of the first inning.
B3 | ?? 6, ?? 3@dreezydoesit2 collects his first career hit and RBI with a line drive into left field to extend the Cardinal lead!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/A73O3jmnuM
— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) February 27, 2021
The Cardinal used six pitchers on Saturday, beginning with freshman Joey Dixon. Dixon logged the first 2 1/3 innings in his first career start, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two. Redshirt senior Jonathan Worley contributed 1/3 of an inning before Nathan Fleischli surrendered a run over 1 1/3 innings of work. Dipping back into the bullpen, Justin Moore and Austin Weiermiller each contributed 1 2/3 innings of relief with two strikeouts before fifth-year senior Zach Grech tossed the final 1 2/3 innings.
T6 | ?? 6, ?? 4@Justin_Moore18 strikes out another and will turn it over to @austinwires22.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/U6vSCTc3pl
— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) February 28, 2021
Grech was charged with an unearned run that eventually drew the Broncos back even in the eighth, but Stanford's offense responded in the home half to push the Las Vegas, Nev. native into the win column. The right-hander retired the side in order in the top of the ninth, including striking out the final two he faced, to improve to 1-0 on the season.
Senior right-hander Travis Howard was saddled with the loss for Santa Clara after allowing the four eighth-innings runs. Howard's final line featured four runs allowed on three hits with five strikeouts over three innings of relief.
Stanford will look to collect a series sweep on Sunday when it travels back to Santa Clara for a noon first pitch from Stephen Schott Stadium.