SEATTLE – Tied at two runs apiece headed into the ninth inning, Stanford (8-6, 2-0 Pac-12) scored twice in the final frame to defeat Washington (3-7-1, 0-2 Pac-12) 4-2 on Saturday to clinch a series win in Pac-12 play.
Temo Becerra reached on an error to start the inning before a walk to Ethan Hott pushed runners to first and second. Owen Cobb contributed a sac bunt, moving two into scoring position for the top of the order in Cort MacDonald. The leadoff man chopped a ball to third where Becerra broke for home on contact. Third baseman Sam DeCarlo tried to glove it and flip to the plate in one motion, but was unable to complete the play as the go-ahead run scored. Sophomore Malcolm Moore added some breathing room one play later, lining a sacrifice fly to center field to run the tally to 4-2.
Toran O'Harran entered from the Cardinal bullpen to work the ninth, but ran into a bit of trouble. O'Harran committed a throwing error to put the leadoff man aboard before an infield single put two on with nobody out. A sac bunt followed, but the right-hander clamped down on the Huskies from there, striking out Blake Wilson and Cam Clayton to convert his fourth save of the year.
Sophomore Trevor Moore was credited with the win and moved to 1-0 after pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out four over his outing that spanned 49 pitches.
Freshman Christian Lim was strong in his fourth career start, surrendering two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six over 4 1/3 innings.
Solo home runs accounted for Stanford's two runs over the first eight innings, with Jimmy Nati notching his first career long ball in the top of the first.
After Washington drew even at a run apiece on a bases-loaded walk in the second, M. Moore unloaded on a pitch for his fourth home run of the season in the top of the fifth.
Aiva Arquette once again tied the game in the bottom of the fifth for the Huskies, connecting for a solo homer of his own – his second round-tripper of the series.
Washington reliever Sam Boyle was saddled with the loss and fell to 1-2, tagged with two unearned runs in the ninth as part of his 4 1/3 innings on the mound.
Stanford will look to secure a series sweep on Sunday when the teams conclude the three-game series at 1:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES:
- Stanford has won seven of its last eight games after starting the season 1-5.
- The Cardinal allowed the first run in seven of its first eight games of the season, but has now scored first in five of the last six.
- MacDonald (1-for-5, RBI) has now hit safely in all but one of his games played this season.
- Nati (1-for-4, R, HR, RBI) has hit safely in all but one game this season, and has reached in all 14.
- T. Moore's four strikeouts matched a career high previously achieved twice (vs. UNLV, February 19, 2024; vs. San Jose State, February 26, 2024)
- Saturday's victory was Stanford's first coming in its last at bat of a game this season.
- M. Moore's home run was the 19th of his career.