ROUND ROCK, Texas – Kody Huff and Brett Barrera both homered to back another strong pitching effort from Alex Williams as No. 6 Stanford (4-1) defeated Louisiana (3-2) 5-1 on Friday to open the 2022 Karbach Round Rock Classic from Dell Diamond.
Huff's two-run homer, his first of the year, came in the bottom of the first inning and answered a single run in the top of the first for Louisiana. Huff would finish the game 2 for 4 with the homer, a double and two RBIs.
Williams improved to 2-0 on the season after tossing five innings and allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts. The right-hander threw 63 pitches, including 45 for strikes. Williams faced one over the minimum after the first two batters reached to start the game.
After singles from Adam Crampton and Eddie Park set up a run in the third to run the tally to 3-1, sophomore Carter Graham delivered a sacrifice fly in the fourth to extend the lead to four runs.
Adding insurance in the bottom of the eighth, Barrera connected for a no-doubt home run to left field to put the finishing touches on the scoring. The home run was Barrera's first of the season and came as part of a 2 for 3 day with a double.
Stanford's bullpen impressed in the opener from the Karbach Round Rock Classic, combining for four innings of scoreless work while allowing two hits and striking out four. Sophomore Joey Dixon was first out of the bullpen, facing just six batters and striking out one to log two innings. Cody Jensen tossed the eighth and struck out one before freshman Braden Montgomery retired the side, including two strikeouts, to seal the 5-1 victory.
The Karbach Round Rock Classic continues Saturday when Stanford meets No. 2 Arkansas at 2 p.m. PT.
