STANFORD, Calif. – Opening a three-game ACC series against No. 8 Florida State on Friday night, Stanford (19-19, 8-11 ACC) scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to upend the ranked Seminoles (29-12, 12-7 ACC) 4-3 from Sunken Diamond.
After freshman Andrew Shaw tossed two scoreless innings in a start for the Cardinal, Florida State managed to get to reliever Parker Warner for three runs on four hits in the third inning to take a 3-0 lead. Warner, who ultimately earned the victory and moved to 1-2 on the year, did well to right the ship from there, posting zeros in the fourth and fifth innings to keep the Cardinal within striking distance.
Being no-hit through four innings by Florida State starter Wes Mendes, Stanford still found itself trailing 3-0 headed to the bottom of the fifth. After Mendes recorded a strikeout to open the frame, Charlie Bates reached on a one-out walk to get some momentum shifting. Brady Reynolds broke up the no-hit bid with a line drive off the top of the glove of third baseman Cal Fisher before a walk to Jimmy Nati loaded the bases with one out. Luke Lavin delivered the first big blow for the Cardinal, lacing an automatic double out to left-center field that hopped over the wall and drove in a pair. A lineout followed for the second out, but junior Eric Jeon came up clutch with a two-RBI single on a 2-2 pitch that proved to be the game-winning hit and handed Stanford the 4-3 advantage.
Looking to punch back, the first two hitters reached for the Seminoles in the sixth inning, but Cohen Gomez entered from the Cardinal bullpen and put out the fire by fielding a sac bunt and striking out a pair to strand the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.
Florida State once again threatened in the seventh, putting two aboard with one out against freshman Mike Erspamer. After a strikeout and a double steal once again put two in scoring position, Stanford third baseman JJ Moran made a spectacular diving play to steal a hit and preserve the one-run advantage.
The highlight-reel play was Moran’s second of the day after leaning over the rail and into the Florida State dugout in the first inning to nab a foul pop and end the frame.
Stanford had a missed opportunity of its own in the bottom of the seventh as the Cardinal loaded the bases with nobody out, but was unable to add any insurance. Florida State reliever Chris Knier escaped the jam by striking out Jeon and Rintaro Sasaki before inducing a foul pop off the bat of Teddy Tokheim.
Clinging to the one-run lead, Stanford called for senior Trevor Moore to try to close the door on the Seminoles. The right-hander retired all six batters he faced over the final two frames, including striking out a pair, to record his third save of the season.
Stanford will look to clinch the series on Saturday when the two teams meet for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch.