Cardinal Settles for Series Win

STANFORD, Calif. – Having already secured a series win by way of victories in the first two games of the set, Stanford (19-22, 11-10 Pac-12) was unable to complete the series sweep of California (26-16, 12-12 Pac-12) on Sunday, dropping a 7-4 decision to the Golden Bears from Sunken Diamond.
 
The Cardinal fell behind 6-0 through five and a half innings, but did manage to make things interesting with a four-run sixth. Jimmy Nati laced a two-RBI double down the left field line before Brandon Larson connected for a mammoth two-run home run to cap the frame.
 
Still trailing 6-4 in the seventh, Stanford loaded the bases with two outs, but was unable to cash in on the opportunity as Malcolm Moore flew out to left field to end the threat.
 
Cal added an insurance run in the ninth on a home run from Peyton Schulze, running the tally to its final of 7-4.
 
Freshman right-hander Trey Newmann impressed early in the start for California, facing just one over the minimum through the first four innings. Newmann eventually logged 5 2/3 innings, allowing the four runs in the sixth, giving up five hits and issuing two walks while striking out six to improve to 3-4 on the year.
 
After Tyler Stasiowski recorded four outs, Austin Turkington pitched the final two scoreless innings for Cal to convert his second save of the year.
 
Stanford starter Ryan Speshyock was saddled with the loss after allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out three over 1 1/3 inning. The right-hander, making his first career weekend start, dropped to 0-3 on the season.
 
Stanford will remain at home on Tuesday, welcoming Santa Clara to Sunken Diamond for a 6:05 p.m. first pitch. The game against the Broncos will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Bay Area.
 
GAME NOTES:

• Stanford has won three of its last four Pac-12 series, defeating Washington State, No. 16 Oregon and California.
• Owen Cobb (3-for-5, R) has hit safely in eight straight and 15 of his last 19 games, managing multiple hits in 11 of those 19 contests … has managed 15 multi-hit games this year … batted .467 (7-for-15) with four runs scored and a double in the series against Cal.
• Brandon Larson (1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBIs) connected for his fourth home run of the season … has homered in two of his last three games overall and batted .417 (5-for-12) with three runs scored, two homers and five RBIs in the series against Cal.
• Cort MacDonald (2-for-3, R) has hit safely in eight of his last nine, 16 of his last 18 games, and 22 of his last 25 … has reached in all but four games he's played this year … has amassed a team-best 16 multi-hit games.
• Jimmy Nati (1-for-2, R, 2B, 2 RBIs) has hit safely in all but 10 games this year, including five straight and 12 of his last 14 overall … has reached in all but eight contests … batted .615 (8-for-13) with five runs scored, two doubles, two homers and nine RBIs in the series against Cal to register a 1.231 slugging percentage.