HOUSTON – Sophomore Malcolm Moore batted 2-for-2 with two runs scored, a double, a home run and three RBIs to lead Stanford (6-5) to a 4-3 victory and a series sweep of Rice (3-8) on Sunday afternoon.
Moore, who also drew two walks to reach in all four of his plate appearances, doubled home the first of two Stanford runs in the first inning before launching a two-run home run in the top of the fifth to break a 2-2 tie.
The round-tripper was Moore's third of the season, including his second of the weekend series, and his 18th career homer.
Sophomore Nick Dugan got the start and tossed the first 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out a career-high tying seven batters. The right-hander improved to 3-0 on the season with the victory.
Kassius Thomas made his second appearance of the weekend, summoned first out of the Cardinal bullpen. The right-hander worked two scoreless frames, striking out two, but left the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth.
Sophomore Toran O'Harran entered the jam and escaped unscathed, inducing a fly ball to left-center field before slamming the door on the Owls with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. O'Harran, who picked up his first career save on Friday, was credited with his second in the series finale.
Rice starter Ryland Urbanczyk was saddled with the loss and dropped to 0-2 on the year after allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks in four innings of work.
Stanford will return to action on Tuesday when it travels to California for a non-conference clash with the Golden Bears at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks.
GAME NOTES:
- Stanford earned its first series sweep of the season with the victory on Sunday.
- The Cardinal has won five consecutive games for the first time this season and the first time since winning seven straight from April 30 to May 13, 2023.
- Sunday's victory moved Stanford (6-5) above .500 for the first time this year.
- The Cardinal has now won 11 straight games against Rice, and improves to 10-0 against the Owls under David Esquer.
- Including 10 strikeouts on Sunday, Stanford struck out 38 batters in the series at Rice … Stanford is now +50 in strikeouts, punching out 121 while striking out 71 times offensively.
- Dugan matched his career high in strikeouts (7), previously achieved on April 22, 2023 vs. Washington.
- Stanford scored in the first inning in all three games at Rice … Stanford has now managed to score first in a game four times this season and is 3-1 in those contests.
- Jimmy Nati (0-for-3, R, HBP) had a 10-game hitting streak snapped, but has reached in all 11 contests this year.
- Cort MacDonald (1-for-4, R) has hit safely in all 10 of his games played this year.