May 31, 2000
NCAA BASEBALL SUPER REGIONAL AT STANFORD, CA (SUNKEN DIAMOND)
Friday-Sunday, June 2-4, 2000 (7 pm, 1 pm, 1 pm if necessary)*
Nebraska (50-15) at Stanford (45-14)
*Sunday's game will be necessary if the teams split the first two games of the three-game series, All games to be broadcast on KZSU 90.1 FM and www.gostanford.com
STANFORD NOTES
* Stanford won its 10th NCAA Regional title last Sunday with a 16-6 victory over Alabama in a second championship game on Sunday ... Alabama, which needed to beat Stanford twice on Sunday to advance to an NCAA Super Regional, won the first championship game (14-9) to force a second game
* Stanford will be hosting its second consecutive NCAA Super Regional and is looking for its second straight trip to the College World Series and its fourth trip to Omaha in the last six years
* Last year, the Cardinal swept USC in two straight Super Regional games (1-0, 5-3) at Sunken Diamond and finished tied for third in the College World Series
* Stanford leads the all-time series over Nebraska, 2-0 ... The Cardinal defeated the Cornhuskers, 9-8, in the first ever meeting between the schools during the West I Regional at Stanford on May 25, 1985 ... Stanford also posted a 14-3 win in a regular season game at Sunken Diamond on March 21, 1993
* Stanford has now won 23 of its last 28 games overall
* Stanford has a 10-3 post-season record over the last two years and is 51-20 all-time record in the post-season in 21 appearances
* Stanford entered 2000 post-season action with at least a share of four straight Pac-10 baseball titles (1997 & 1998 Pac-10 Southern Division, 1999 & 2000, Pac-10)
* Stanford's updated offensive leaders are Joe Borchard (18 HR, 71 RBI), Arik VanZandt (.372 batting average), Craig Thompson (84 hits) and Eric Bruntlett (67 runs, 24 doubles, 47 bases on balls, 9 stolen bases)
* Stanford hit .360 as a team in four games at the 2000 NCAA Regional
* Stanford's Joe Borchard (.389, 7-18, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI) was named the Most Outstanding Player of last weekend's 2000 NCAA Regional at Stanford
2000 NCAA DIVISION I BASEBALL SUPER REGIONAL INFORMATION
Stanford and Nebraska play in one of eight NCAA Baseball Super Regionals around the nation this Friday-Sunday, June 2-4. The eight Super Regionals are as follows with national seeds listed.
* Louisiana-Lafayette (45-17) at #1 South Carolina (55-8)
* UCLA (38-24) at #2 LSU (46-17)
* USC (41-18) at #3 Georgia Tech (50-14)
* Mississippi State (41-18) at #4 Clemson (48-16)
* San Jose State (39-21) at #5 Houston (47-16)
* Miami (40-17-1) at #6 Florida State (49-16)
* Nebraska (50-15) at #8 Stanford (45-14)
* Penn State (45-17) at Texas (44-19)
The eight Super Regional winners advance to the 54th College World Series to be held June 9-17 (Friday-Saturday) at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.
A QUICK LOOK AT THE STANFORD-NEBRASKA SUPER REGIONAL
Both teams head into this Super Regional playing their best baseball of the season. Stanford's bats have come alive of late as the Cardinal hit .360 in four games during the Super Regional and has its team batting average up to .312. Stanford scored 33 runs and pounded out 45 hits in its three regional games versus Nebraska. Stanford has picked up 10 or more hits in a season-high eight straight games. The team's pitching is struggling more than it has all season, having given up double digit runs in three of its last seven games. Still, Stanford has won 23 of its last 28 games overall. On the other hand, Nebraska's pitching staff has been shutting down opponents as the Cornhuskers gave up just three runs (two earned) in its Super Regional sweep of Butler, Minnesota and Wichita State. The 14 runs the team mustered in three games were enough to win the event. Nebraska has won eight straight games and 32 of its last 36 overall. Stanford and Nebraska have squared off just two times in the history of the schools with the Cardinal winning both games. Stanford was a 9-8 winner in a West I Regional game at Stanford on May 25, 1985, and a 14-3 winner in a regular season game at Sunken Diamond on March 21, 1993.
STANFORD LOOKING FOR SECOND STRAIGHT SUPER REGIONAL WIN
Stanford has won both of the Super Regional games the team has played with 1-0 and 5-3 victories over USC at Sunken Diamond last season in the first year of the Super Regional format. Pitching was the difference for the Cardinal in last year's Super Regional triumph over the Trojans. Jason Young outdueled USC ace Barry Zito, 1-0, in the opening game of the Super Regional as Jeff Rizzo's RBI double in the sixth inning scored Eric Bruntlett with the game's only run. Young scattered eight hits and struck out 10, while Zito lost despite giving up just two hits. Justin Wayne pitched 8.0 strong innings in the second game of the Super Regional as Stanford came away with a 5-3 win. Craig Thompson's two-run double in the third keyed Stanford's offense.
STANFORD WINS 10TH NCAA REGIONAL
Stanford's NCAA Regional victory was the 10th in the history of Stanford Baseball. The program has won NCAA Regionals in 1982, `83, `85, `87, `88, `90, `95, `97, `99 and `00. Stanford has compiled a 51-20 all-time record in 18 regional appearances.
NCAA BASEBALL SUPER REGIONAL TICKETS
Tickets for the upcoming NCAA Super Regional at Stanford can be purchased by visiting the Stanford Ticket Office (Stanford Stadium, Gate 2) or calling 1-800-BEATCAL. All session passes are $30 for adults and $20 for children, seniors and students. Single game tickets (available beginning June 2) are $12 for adults and $8 for children, seniors and students.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Following are just a few of the most memorable moments of Stanford's 2000 regular season ...
A five-game winning streak to open the season, including a sweep of then #2 Cal State Fullerton ... Back-to-back homers by the unlikely duo of Billy Jacobson and Chris O'Riordan in the top of the 10th inning to beat Florida State ... Justin Wayne's first career shutout, a three hitter versus Santa Clara ... Justin Wayne's complete-game two-hitter to beat Arizona State, 5-1, in the opener of a three-game series ... Arik VanZandt's pinch-hit home run in his first at bat of the season versus Sacramento State and his subsequent stint as the team's starting designated hitter in which he posted a career-high 11-game hitting streak ... Jason Young's masterful 15-strikeout performance at Washington State ... Stanford's eight-game win streak from April 4-16 ... Stanford's annihilation of USC, 18-4, in the final game of a three-game series in Los Angeles ... Damien Alvarado's walk-off homer to beat California, 12-11, in the bottom of the ninth of a series finale... John Gall's career-high 20-game hit streak from 3/28-5/1 ... Stanford's two victories over UCLA in the final two games of the season which gave the Cardinal at least a share of its fourth straight Pac-10 (1999, 2000) or Pac-10 Southern Division (1997, 1998) title ... Jason Young repeating his post-season magic with a masterful complete-game five-hit performance in Stanford's 5-1 victory over Fresno State in the NCAA Regional opener ... Joe Borchard's three-run homer that sent Sunken Diamond into a frenzy as the Cardinal scored five times in the top of the ninth inning to beat Alabama, 8-6, in a key Saturday winners bracket game at the NCAA Regional.
HITTING REPORT
Stanford's batting average has risen to .312, the highest its been since the club's average stood at .329 following the second game of the year. The team's average has been at .300 or above since hitting the .300 mark following an April 29 game versus California. Stanford has tallied multiple-hits in a season-high eight straight contests and 16 of its last 19 games, including a season-high 23 hits at USC (4/22). Stanford set a new season-high for runs scored in a 19-3 win over UCLA (5/20). Stanford's low point this season was .258 after a game versus Santa Clara (3/3). Stanford has scored double digit runs on 17 occasions and recorded double digit hits 36 times. Eight of Stanford's nine regular starters -- Arik VanZandt (.372), Chris O'Riordan (.368), Eric Bruntlett (.352), John Gall (.346), Andy Topham (.343), Craig Thompson (.341), Joe Borchard (.328) and Edmund Muth (.314) -- are hitting better than .310. Borchard leads the team with career highs in homers (18) and RBI (71), as well as slugging percentage (.634). Muth leads the club in total bases (151) co-leads the club with three triples. Bruntlett leads the team with career highs of 24 doubles, 67 runs scored, 47 walks and nine stolen bases, as well as a .471 on base percentage). Thompson paces the squad with 84 hits.
PITCHING REPORT
The Cardinal pitching staff has been excellent for most of the season but has struggled a bit lately having given up double digit runs in three of its last seven games and double digit hits in three in a row. Stanford still leads the Pac-10 in pitching with a 3.90 ERA (#13 NCAA). Cardinal pitchers have given up just 436 hits and 229 earned runs in 528.0 innings, recording 525 strikeouts and allowing only 224 walks (2.34-1 ratio). All-American and Co-Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year Justin Wayne (13-3, 3.24) co-leads the Pac-10 in victories and ranks tied for fifth in the nation, while 1999 All-American Jason Young (8-0, 3.53) remains undefeated and has won 14 straight decisions dating back to 1999. Tim Cunningham (5-2, 3.83, 1 SV) picked up four Pac-10 victories, three as a starter and one in relief, before having a tough outing versus Alabama (5/28) in the first championship game of the regional. Brian Sager (5-1, 4.96) is beginning to return to his Freshman All-American form of last season and may reemerge as the team's third starter after picking up the win in the second regional championship game versus Alabama (5/28). Jeff Bruksch (4-4, 2.94, 11 SV) has become only the second player to ever record 10 or more saves on The Farm and is making a run at Stanford's save record of 13 in a season, currently held by Steve Chitren (1987). Mike Gosling (2-2, 3.92, 3 SV) has pitched well as a starter, middle reliever and occasional closer. He boasts 77 strikeouts in just 57.1 innings on the hill, ranking eighth in the NCAA with an average of 12.09 strikeouts per nine innings. Ryan McCally (1-0, 3.93, 1 SV) has begun to emerge from the bullpen as well lately as he has picked up both his first collegiate victory (4/30 vs. California) and his first collegiate save (5/7 at Oregon State) late in the Pac-10 season.
DEFENSIVE REPORT
Stanford's defense is picking up the pace again as the Cardinal has played errorless baseball in seven of its last 10 games. The Cardinal did not commit an error in its regular season ending series against UCLA, the first time the team played errorless in a Pac-10 series all season. Stanford started off the season playing excellent defense and was ranked as high as #2 in the nation at one point, committing just seven errors in its first 17 games and lifting its fielding percentage as high as .988. The team's current .973 fielding percentage ranks second in the Pac-10 and fourth in the nation.
REGIONAL RECAP
Stanford needed four games to get through its NCAA Regional last weekend. The Cardinal opened the regional with a convincing 5-1 victory over Fresno State (5/26) as Jason Young tossed a complete-game five-hitter and struck out nine, while walking none. Craig Thompson was the offensive standout, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Stanford pulled out a dramatic 8-6 win over Alabama on Saturday as the Cardinal scored five times in the bottom of the ninth. Joe Borchard hit a three-run homer to tie the game before Andy Topham's single to right field brought home the winning run. Borchard was 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs and a season-high-tying five RBI. Justin Wayne tossed a complete game, scattering 10 hits and six runs. Wayne shut out the Crimson Tide in all but the sixth inning when Alabama scored six times. Alabama worked its way back to Sunday's championship game with a 6-5 win over Nevada on Saturday night and kept its momentum going in the first title game with a 14-9 win over the Cardinal. Alabama jumped out to a 10-2 lead and held off a fierce Stanford rally that had the Cardinal within 10-9 after scoring seven times in the seventh inning. However, Alabama would score four insurance runs in the top of the ninth to ice the victory. The Cardinal needed a victory in Sunday's second championship game to continue its season and advance to an NCAA Super Regional. The team responded by scoring seven times in the first two innings on its way to a 16-6 victory. Three Stanford players had three hits each as John Gall led the attack by going 3-for-6 with a homer and a season-high-tying five RBI. Thompson and Edmund Muth each added 3-for-6 performances with an RBI. Brian Sager picked up the start on the mound and pitched 6.0 solid innings, scattering seven hits and four runs (all earned).
CARDINAL DURING THE PAC-10 SEASON
Stanford closed out its regular Pac-10 season by winning two-of-three games in each of its last four league series versus UCLA (5/19-5/21), Oregon State (5/5-5/7), California (4/28-4/30) and USC (4/20-4/22). Stanford had swept Washington (4/14-4/16) and Washington State (4/7-4/9) prior to the USC series. The only Pac-10 series the team lost a series to all year was when the Cardinal dropped two-of-three at Arizona State (3/31-4/2). Stanford opened its Pac-10 slate by winning two-of-three over Arizona (3/24-3/26).
WAYNE CO-PITCHER OF THE YEAR ON ALL-PAC-10 TEAM
Justin Wayne, who has a 13-3 record and a 3.24 ERA to go with 135 strikeouts, earned Pac-10 Co-Pitcher of the Year honors along with USC's Rik Currier. Wayne becomes the fifth Stanford player to have earned the honor in school history, following the selections of Dan Reed (1994), Kyle Peterson (1995, 1997) and Jeff Austin (1998). Wayne headlined an all-Pac-10 team that also featured third-time selection John Gall, as well as second-time choices Joe Borchard and Edmund Muth. Seven Stanford players -- Damien Alvarado, Jeff Bruksch, Eric Bruntlett, Mike Gosling, Chris O'Riordan, Craig Thompson and Jason Young -- earned honorable mention recogntion.
REGULAR SEASON ATTENDANCE RECORD SET VERSUS UCLA
Stanford set a new regular season single-game Sunken Diamond attendance record by drawing a crowd of 4,020 fans to the final Friday night game of the year versus UCLA. The Cardinal had just set a record abou three weeks before when 3,722 spectators were in attendance for a game versus California on April 29. The all-time Sunken Diamond attendance record came when 4,172 fans witnessed the 1997 NCAA Regional Final between Stanford and Fresno State.
STANFORD FIRSTS
With its fourth straight Pac-10 title (1997 & 1998 Pac-10 Southern Division, 1999 & 2000 Pac-10), the Stanford baseball team has won four straight Pac-10 titles for the first time in school history. Also, the baseball title gave Stanford another first -- Pac-10 titles in football, men's basketball and baseball all in the same academic year.
JOE BORCHARD AND CHRIS O'RIORDAN LEAD CARDINAL IN PAC-10
Joe Borchard led or co-led the Cardinal in Pac-10 games only in home runs (12), RBI (35), runs scored (32), total bases (78), bases on balls (20), on base percentage (.500) and slugging percentage (.830). Chris O'Riordan paced the club in both batting average (.398) and on base percentage (.500, tied with Borchard) during Pac-10 action, while Borchard ranked a close second with a .383 batting average.
STANFORD TRIO ATTEMPTING TO EACH REACH THE 70-RBI MARK
The Stanford trio of Edmund Muth, Joe Borchard and John Gall is attempting to become the first trio of Stanford players to each reach the 70-RBI mark at least since Mark Marquess took over as the team's head coach in 1977. Borchard and Muth both have career-high RBI numbers with 71 and 70, respectively, while Gall's 68 RBI's are three shy of a new career-best.
ERIC BRUNTLETT QUIETLY HAVING BIG OFFENSIVE YEAR
The numbers being put up by Eric Bruntlett this season should be taken notice of. The senior shortstop has been known mostly for his defense throughout his Stanford career but currently is hitting .352 with career highs of in nearly every offensive category. Bruntlett's 24 doubles and 47 walks are of special note. The 24 doubles rank second on Stanford's all-time list, while Bruntlett needs just seven more free passes to enter Stanford's single-season Top 10 list in that category.
STANFORD IN THE NATIONAL POLLS
Stanford ranks #3 in both the Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball polls this week, while the USA Today Baseball Weekly poll had the Cardinal at #3 last week with the new poll not available at press time. Georgia Tech is the #1 team in the Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball polls, while South Carolina was in the top spot last week in the USA Today Baseball Weekly poll. Stanford began the season at #1 in all three polls before dropping out of the top spot on February 14. The Cardinal fell as low as #7 on April 2 after losing two-of-three games at Arizona State. Stanford finished the 1999 campaign ranked #3 in all three polls. Stanford's poll history includes a run as the "king of the polls" in 1998 when the Cardinal held the top spot in the Baseball America poll for a record 14 consecutive weeks.
STANFORD BASEBALL HISTORY
Stanford's storied baseball program has had many highlights as the program is currently in its 107th season with an all-time record of 2223-1428-32 (.608). Just a few of the highlights have included back-to-back NCAA Championships (1987, 1988), 11 College World Series appearances, one Super Regional title, 10 Regional titles, 18 conference titles and 21 NCAA Tournament berths. Stanford has boasted a total of 40 All-Americans who have earned a total of 47 All-American honors (includes Justin Wayne's recent selections this season). Stanford has also garnered three NCAA Player of the Year choices in Jeff Austin (1998), David McCarty (1991) and Steve Dunning (1970). Other numbers for the Cardinal baseball program include 93 all-conference players earning a total of 118 honors, 53 major league players (including 12 currently in Major League Baseball) and 10 first round draft picks in the last 13 years.