STANFORD, Calif. – Sophomore Brandon Larson connected for his first home run as a Cardinal, but Stanford (1-5) suffered a 13-2 loss to Penn State (5-1) on Saturday afternoon from Sunken Diamond.
The game, called after seven innings due to a run-rule agreed upon by both coaches prior to first pitch, clinched a series victory for Penn State.
Larson's blast, a two-run shot in the second, came in his first start for the Cardinal. The left-handed hitting first baseman hit nine home runs while appearing in 46 games, including 35 starts, a year ago for UC San Diego.
Penn State showcased some power of its own, connecting for three home runs in the victory – including a three-run shot from Grant Norris in the second inning to stake Penn State to a 3-0 lead.
The home run, Norris' second of the year, highlighted a 3-for-4 day that saw him score three runs and drive in four.
Adam Cecere and Bryce Molinaro also connected for their second homers of the year, with Cecere's two-run home run highlighting a five-run fifth inning for the visitors.
Leading 8-2 after five, Penn State pushed one across in the sixth on Molinaro's solo homer before scoring four more in the seventh – highlighted by a two-run double from Joe Jaconski.
Freshman Christian Lim got the start and was saddled with the loss after allowing four runs on three hits, two walks and three hit batters, while striking out two. The decision dropped the left-hander to 0-2 on the season.
Jaden Henline earned the win after allowing just two runs over the first four innings of the seven-inning contest. Henline improved to 1-0 on the year, while Mason Horwat was credited with the save after tossing the final three scoreless innings in relief.
Stanford will look to avoid a series sweep on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES:
- The Cardinal has now dropped three straight games and back-to-back weekend series to open the season.
- Stanford is 1-5 to begin a season for the first time since 2020 when it started 1-8.
- The Cardinal has now failed to score first in all but one game this year.
- After walking 17 batters in the series opener on Friday, Stanford walked just two on Saturday, but did issue five hit-by-pitches … hit five batters for the first time since issuing five hit-by-pitches at San Francisco on May 10, 2022.
- Jimmy Nati (3-for-3, R) extended his hitting streak to six games … is now hitting .545 (12-for-22) with four runs scored, three doubles, a triple and five RBIs this season … has totaled four multi-hit games in the first six contests this year.
- Cort MacDonald (1-for-3) extended his hitting streak to five games.
- Trevor Haskins (0-for-4) had a five-game hit streak, dating back to the 2023 season, snapped on Saturday.