STANFORD, Calif. – Freshman Brady Reynolds connected for a three-run home run, and graduate student Owen Cobb launched a grand slam, guiding Stanford (2-5) to a 9-5 victory over Penn State (5-2) on Sunday in the finale of a three-game series from Sunken Diamond.
Reynolds' home run erased a 3-0 deficit in the second inning, while Cobb's grand slam capped a six-run third and catapulted Stanford to victory.
The home runs were the first of the season for both players, with Reynolds' game-tying blast serving as his first career round-tripper. For Cobb, the homer was the seventh of his career and first since May 12, 2023 vs. Arizona.
The offensive outburst, which saw Stanford score nine runs on nine hits, provided support for a strong outing from Nick Dugan. The right-hander, who improved to 2-0 with the victory, allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five.
Freshman Joey Volchko worked two relief innings, surrendering one run on one hit and three walks while striking out one, before handing the ball over to sophomore Toran O'Harran.
With Stanford leading 9-5, O'Harran worked himself into a jam in the eighth, but ultimately struck out Joe Jaconski with the bases loaded to help the Cardinal escape unscathed. Jaconski had previously led off the game with a solo home run – his first of the season.
O'Harran would once again allow two batters to reach in the ninth, but his strikeout of Tayven Kelley secured the victory. The native of Rocklin, Calif. finished the game having navigated two scoreless frames, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out three.
Penn State starter Frankie Sanchez tossed a scoreless first inning, but was immediately pulled from the game in the second – beginning a string of six relievers used by the Nittany Lions. Right-hander Chic DeGaetano was ultimately saddled with the loss and dropped to 0-1 after being charged with four runs despite not allowing a hit over 1 2/3 innings.
The Cardinal will conclude an eight-game homestand on Monday when it hosts San Jose State at 2 p.m. in a game that will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.
GAME NOTES:
- Cobb's grand slam was the first of his career and the first for Stanford since Tommy Troy hit a grand slam vs. then-No. 25 Texas A&M on June 4, 2023.
- Sunday marks the first game this season in which Stanford has had multiple home runs.
- Stanford's nine runs scored were a season high … the six-run third inning was the most productive frame for the Cardinal this year.
- Surrendering two runs in the top of the first on Sunday, the Cardinal has now allowed the first run in all but one contest this year (15-4 loss to Penn State on February 23).
- Stanford drew nine walks and issued seven to Penn State on Sunday … the Cardinal was also hit by five pitches on Sunday and hit two Penn State batters … the two teams combined to issue 58 free passes over the three games in the series … Stanford walked 28 batters and hit eight, while Penn State walked 15 and hit seven.
- Jimmy Nati (1-for-3) extended his hitting streak to seven games … is now hitting .520 (13-for-25) with four runs scored, three doubles, a triple and five RBIs this season.
- Cort MacDonald (2-for-4) extended his hitting streak to six games … registered his first career multi-hit game.