March 25, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
STANFORD CARDINAL (4-10) at UC DAVIS AGGIES (3-13)
Wednesday, March 25 2:30 p.m. James M. and Ann Dobbins Baseball Stadium (Davis, CA)
Undecided vs. RHP Jeremy McChesney (0-4, 11.21)
STANFORD CARDINAL (4-10, 1-2) vs. WASHINGTON HUSKIES (8-11, 0-0)
Friday, March 27 5:30 p.m. Klein Field at Sunken Diamond (Stanford, CA)
Saturday, March 28 1:00 p.m. Klein Field at Sunken Diamond (Stanford, CA)
Sunday, March 29 1:00 p.m. Klein Field at Sunken Diamond (Stanford, CA)
All times Pacific; every game is broadcast on KZSU (90.1 FM) and gostanford.com
Stanford Visits UC Davis and Hosts Washington During Four-Game Week
Continuing a stretch which will see it play eight games in 10 days, the Stanford Cardinal (4-10, 1-2 Pac-10) will visit UC Davis (3-13) on Wednesday before hosting the Washington Huskies (8-11, 0-0) in a three-game, weekend conference series.
The Cardinal and Aggies will square off in a 2:30 p.m. PT matinee at James. M and Ann Dobbins Baseball Stadium, while the Huskies will visit Klein Field at Sunken Diamond on Friday (5:30 p.m.), Saturday (1:00 p.m.) and Sunday (1:00 p.m.).
Following a 12-day layoff for winter quarter finals, Stanford opened its 2009 Pac-10 schedule by dropping two of three games last weekend at California. The Cardinal won a thrilling 6-5, 12-inning contest on Sunday, but fell in Saturday's series opener (7-6) and in Monday's rubber game (11-4).
Broadcast Information
All 56 of Stanford's regular season games, and any postseason contests, will be carried live on the home of Cardinal baseball for nearly 51 years - student station KZSU 90.1 FM. The KZSU broadcast is available on the internet either at www.kzsulive.stanford.edu or via a link on www.gostanford.com.
Carlo Salcedo will handle play-by-play duties for all four games this week, with Matt Hodson providing color for Wednesday's contest at UC Davis.
"Nine" Going for Ninth
Stanford's Mark Marquess, who is in his 33rd year at the helm of his alma mater, is the 10th-winningest head coach in NCAA Division I baseball history (fourth among active skippers) with a career 1,330-679-7 (.661) record.
With his next victory, Marquess will match Larry Cochell (1967-2005) for ninth on the all-time list with his 1,331st career win. Stanford's venerable skipper is only 13 wins shy of matching USC legend Rod Dedeaux (1,342 between 1942-47 and 1949-86) for eighth.
Stanford-UC Davis Series
Stanford and UC Davis will renew a burgeoning rivalry with the first of two 2009 meetings on Wednesday. The Cardinal and Aggies played four games in 2008, with UC Davis winning both regular season contests and the opener of the Stanford Regional. However, Stanford defeated the Aggies 8-4 in a Regional elimination contest, as Brent Milleville's two-run, ninth-inning home run erased a 4-3 defict and sparked a five-run Cardinal rally.
In a April 30, 2008 game in Davis, the host Aggies outlasted Stanford for a 10-8 victory. Stanford owns a 42-12 advantage in the series since 1960 (Stanford single-game results are available since 1959).
Stanford-Washington Series
Stanford has won each of the last four Pac-10 sets against Washington, and owns a 41-13 edge in a series that dates back to 1965. The Cardinal won two of three games last May 23-25 in Seattle, with the Huskies winning the series finale to avoid a sweep.
Stanford and Washington last met on The Farm in 2007, with the Cardinal winning the series' final two contests after dropping the opener.
Cardinal Clips
Stanford Entering Meat of Schedule
After playing just five games over the first 20 days in March due to winter quarter finals, Stanford will play eight contests over the final 11 days in the month. The Cardinal will then play 20 games in April and 17 contests in May.
Series Scoop
Despite dropping three of its first four weekend series in 2009, Stanford is still 14-5 in its last 19 weekend sets - a stretch which dates back to the final month of the 2006 season. The Cardinal has been in a position to reverse the 1-3 mark this season, but is just 1-2 in rubber games.
Stanford is 8-3 in Pac-10 sets over the stretch, including a 6-2 mark in 2008. However, after winning its first five conference series last year, the Cardinal dropped two of three last weekend at Cal.
Pries Making a Name
Freshman right-hander Jordan Pries has pitched in three of Stanford's first four wins (two starts, one relief outing), while he is personally 2-0 with a 3.66 ERA (8er, 19.2ip). The Alameda, CA native leads the Pac-10 with a miniscule .134 opponents' batting average, yielding just nine hits in 67 at-bats.
Pries earned Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week honors for March 2-8 following his first career start, a 7.1-inning gem in a March 7 victory over No. 2 Texas. The collegiate rookie was sensational against the Longhorns, carrying a shutout into the eighth inning and departing after allowing only three hits - a double and two singles. He walked two and struck out four, while he handed Texas its first loss of the season after the Longhorns had opened a perfect 11-0.
Pries followed with another riveting performance in his initial Pac-10 start last Sunday at Cal, as he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before tiring. While he received a no-decision, Stanford outlasted Cal 6-5 in 12 innings, as the Cardinal has now won both of his starts.
In his first two career starts, Pries is personally 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA (4er, 12.2ip) and a .095 opponents' batting average (4-for-42).
Power From the Northwest
Sophomore right fielder Kellen Kiilsgaard has been on fire as of late, belting four home runs in the last seven games. After getting only three at-bats as a true freshman in 2008, he now is tied for sixth in the Pac-10 with five homers and is fifth with a .721 slugging percentage. He leads the team in both categories, while also collecting a club-best 12 RBI.
Kiilsgaard had the best day of his young career to lift the Cardinal to a 6-5, 12-inning win on Sunday at California. With Stanford trailing 4-3 in the ninth, he led off the top of the inning with an opposite-field home run to tie the game 4-4, then hammered a mammoth solo shot leading off the 11th that gave the Cardinal a 5-4 lead. With the game tied again, he drew a two-out, bases loaded walk in the 12th to push Stanford ahead for good at 6-5. Kiilsgaard also delivered a two-out, RBI-double in the fifth that gave Stanford a 2-0 lead. All told, he reached base safely six times during his first collegiate multi-homer game, going 3-for-4 with three walks and four RBI to set a career high in each category.
Kiilsgaard, a two-sport star at Auburn (Wash.) High School, was a redshirt freshman on Stanford's 2007 football squad, but gave up the gridiron to concentrate solely on baseball.
Swing and a Miss
Sophomore RHP Drew Storen has continued to demonstrate the electric stuff that made him a freshman All-American in 2008, as he has compiled 13 strikeouts in just 7.1 innings of work - an average of 15.95 punchouts per 9.0 innings. Storen has allowed just one walk thus far in 2009, while forging a 2.45 ERA (2er, 7.1ip) in five relief appearances.
For his career, Storen has 63 strikeouts against just 16 walks in 63.2 innings pitched.
Kaskow Heating Up
Sophomore first baseman/designated hitter Jonathan Kaskow has hit safely in eight of his last 11 games, going 11-for-33 (.333) with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBI. He has started at first base for each of the last five games, while he drove in five runs in three contests at California.
Mr. Consistency
Throughout his four years on The Farm, senior outfielder Joey August has been a picture of consistency at the plate. Stanford's active leader in batting average and hits, he enters play this week with a career .315 average (165-for-524) in 157 games (118 starts).
After batting .250 through the Cardinal's first 11 games this season, August heated up during the weekend series at Cal by going 5-for-12 with four runs scored. He is now hitting .286 overall, while he leads Stanford in runs (nine), hits (16) and doubles (six).
Setting the Table
Sophomore infielder Colin Walsh has been Stanford's leadoff hitter for each of the past five games, and has posted a .462 on-base percentage in those contests. While he only has four hits in 18 at-bats (.222), Walsh has drawn seven walks and has been hit by a pitch.
Walsh has hit safely in 13 of his last 18 starts dating back to 2008, going 21-for-67 (.313) with 14 runs scored, five doubles, nine RBI and 14 walks.
Gaylord Getting it Done
Junior infielder Adam Gaylord has hit safely in five of the seven games he has had an at-bat, going 6-for-19 (.316) with a double and four RBI. He has started six contests (four at third base and two at second), and already has five more hits than he did in 2008 (one, in only 15 at-bats). Gaylord's two-out, RBI-single in the fifth inning Monday at Cal gave Stanford a short-lived, 4-3 lead.
From Walk-on to Winning Pitcher
Sophomore reliever Carey Schwartz, who attended Palo Alto High School and wished to someday play at Stanford, was a huge success story in 2008 by making the club as a walk-on. The story has become even better in 2009, as he has fashioned a 2.45 ERA (2er, 7.1ip) while tying for the team lead with six appearances. The side-arming reliever has been huge in clutch situations, stranding eight of his nine inherited runners (88.9%).
Schwartz earned his first career victory Sunday against, fittingly enough, California. He entered in the bottom of the 11th to face Bears cleanup hitter Mark Canha with runners at the corners, none out and Stanford clinging to a 5-4 lead. Although he yielded a game-tying sacrifice fly to Canha, he escaped further damage and recorded the first out of the 12th after the Cardinal had forged back ahead 6-5.
Stay There!
In addition to Schwartz' escape work, several other Cardinal relievers have proven adept at working out of jams. Junior right-hander Kyle Thompson has stranded his three inherited runners senior right-hander Max Fearnow has left two on base, and sophomore right-hander Alex Pracher has stranded four of six. Senior left-hander Blake Hancock retired all three batters he faced over two appearances at California, twice leaving an inherited runner in scoring position.
Marshall-ing in Zeroes
Sophomore right-hander Michael Marshall has been unscored upon in three of his four appearances in March, while allowing just one earned run in 6.1 innings of work (1.42 ERA). He has allowed only three hits in 21 at-bats (.143), with six strikeouts and no walks.
Marshall was excellent in Stanford's 6-5, 12-inning win Sunday at California, setting career highs with 4.0 innings pitched and five strikeouts. He entered to begin the seventh inning with the Cardinal trailing 4-3, and proceeded to retire his first nine batters faced while blanking the Bears through the 11th.
Back for More
Stanford's 35-man roster includes 17 returning letterwinners from its 2008 College World Series club, a total that includes six starting position players, three starting pitchers and its closer.
The Cardinal has retained the services of the following starting position players: OF Joey August (Sr.), OF Toby Gerhart (Jr.), 3B Zach Jones (So.), 1B Brent Milleville (Sr.), SS Jake Schlander (So.) and OF Jeff Whitlow (Sr.). Please note that Gerhart and Whitlow spent a majority of last season in a platoon role.
RHP Max Fearnow (Sr.), RHP Jeffrey Inman (Jr.) and RHP Danny Sandbrink (So.) all saw significant time in the 2008 rotation, while closer Drew Storen (RHP - So). is back after a freshman All-America campaign.
A New Guard
On the flip side, 139 of Stanford's 472 at-bats have been taken by players who had fewer than 20 at-bats in 2008: Mike Garza (5 in 2009, high school in 2008); Adam Gaylord (19 in `09, 15 in `08); Christian Griffiths (13 in `09, HS in `08); J.J. Jelmini (3 in `09, 3 in `08); Jonathan Kaskow (36 in `09, 5 in `08); Kellen Kiilsgaard (43 in `09, 3 in `08); Kellen McColl (3 in `09, 0 in `08); Min (Brian) Moon (4 in `09, 0 in `08) and Wande Olabisi (13 in `09, 4 in `08).
Likewise, 62.0 of the Cardinal's 125.0 innings pitched have been handled by players who threw less than 20.0 frames in 2008: Brian Busick (2.0 in 2009, high school in 2008); Brett Mooneyham (12.1 in `09, HS in `08); Jordan Pries (19.2 in `09, HS in `08); Chris Reed (1.1 in `09, HS in `08); Carey Schwartz (7.1 in `09, 3.1 in `08); Scott Snodgress (8.0 in `09, HS in `08); Kyle Thompson (2.2 in `09, 0.0 in `08) and Brandt Walker (8.2 in `09, 6.0 in `08).
Debuts and Milestones
Stanford has experienced a bevy of individual firsts during its inital 14 games, from freshmen making collegiate debuts to first career hits, home runs, RBI and wins.
The following eight Cardinal freshmen have seen their first collegiate action thus far: RHP Brian Busick, IF/RHP Mike Garza, C/OF Christian Griffiths, LHP Brett Mooneyham, RHP Jordan Pries, LHP Chris Reed and LHP Scott Snodgress. In addition, sophomore OF Kellen McColl played in his first contest when he started at designated hitter on Opening Night.
Sophomore OF Kellen Kiilsgaard belted a solo home run against Vanderbilt in the opener of the Feb. 21 doubleheader for his first career hit and RBI. Sophomore 1B/DH Jonathan Kaskow connected for his first collegiate homer March 7 against Texas, after delivering his first RBI Feb. 21 vs. Vanderbilt (Game 1). McColl and junior OF Wande Olabisi have both collected their first career RBI, while Griffiths recorded his initial collegiate hit.
Pries earned the relief win on Opening Night against Vanderbilt (Feb. 20) for his first collegiate victory. Sophomore RHP Carey Schwartz recorded his initial collegiate win March 22 at California, while Snodgress earned his first save in that same contest.
Inman Named to Golden Spikes Award Watch List; Third-Team All-America
Junior right-handed pitcher Jeffrey Inman has been named by USA Baseball as one of 50 players on the preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List, while he is also a preseason third-team All-America selection by Baseball America.
Sponsored by Major League Baseball, the Golden Spikes Award is in its 32nd season honoring the top player in college baseball. The list will be paired down to 30 on May 26 and again to five finalists on June 2, while the winner will be announced in a July 15 awards show as part of MLB All-Star festivities in St. Louis.
Inman played a key role in Stanford's run to the 2008 College World Series, going 7-2 with a 4.27 ERA (34er, 71.2ip) in 16 games (13 starts) as a sophomore. He showed why he is considered among the nation's top pitchers during a stellar seven-outing, six-start stretch in March and April in which he went 5-0 with a 1.49 ERA (6er, 36.1ip). His final start of the season came at the College World Series, when he allowed just two runs and struck out five over 5.1 innings against eventual finalist Georgia. For the season, Inman held right-handed batters to a .246 average (35-for-142).
Inman followed his sophomore collegiate campaign by striking out 34 batters in just 31.1 innings for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, and was tabbed by Baseball America as the ninth-best prospect in the 2008 Cape Cod League.
Storen Named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List
Stanford sophomore right-hander Drew Storen is one of 40 players selected to the initial watch list for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award. The award is in its fifth season, and honors the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball.
Storen emerged as one of college baseball's premier closers during a stellar freshman campaign in 2008, going 5-3 with eight saves and a 3.51 ERA (22er, 56.1ip) in a club-high 31 relief outings. He was a first-team freshman All-America selection by Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger, while he earned second-team honors from Rivals.com and third-team accolades from Ping!Baseball. The first-team All-Pac-10 performer was fourth in the league for saves (second among freshmen), while he tied for the seventh-highest single-season save total in Stanford history.
Storen logged a 3.3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio during his rookie collegiate season, fanning 50 batters against only 15 walks. He also held opposing batters to a .257 average (53-for-206), including a paltry .229 mark to right-handed hitters (25-for-109).
Following Stanford's 2008 season, Storen served as the closer for the Cotuit Kettleers in the prestigious Cape Cod League. He posted five saves, a 2.76 ERA (5er, 16.1ip) and .200 average against (12-for-60) in 13 relief appearances, with 15 strikeouts against five walks.
Iron Man
Sophomore Jake Schlander has started at shortstop for each of Stanford's 78 games during his collegiate career. In 2008, he became the first Stanford freshman to start every game at shortstop since games played became an officially kept statistic in 1960. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native was the first Cardinal rookie to start each contest at any position since current San Diego Padres outfielder Jody Gerut did so in 1996.
One of the nation's premier defensive shortstops, Schlander owns a career .974 fielding percentage (8 errors, 312 total chances). He has also been errorless in 70 of his 78 career games, including 33 of the last 34 contests.
From the Gridiron to the Diamond
Junior outfielder Toby Gerhart is the latest in a proud Stanford tradition of two-sport athletes. During the 2008 football season, the running back established Stanford's single-season rushing record with 1,136 yards. The bruising runner averaged 5.4 yards per carry (210 attempts), while scoring 15 rushing touchdowns - good for second in school history.
On the diamond, Gerhart will look to build upon a solid end to his 2008 season. The Norco, Calif. native collected 12 RBI over his final 11 games (including seven postseason contests), while hitting at a .356 clip (16-for-56) with four home runs.
Professional Lineage
Stanford has eight players on its 35-man roster that has had a parent or grandparent play professional sports:
Joey August (father, Bill, was a quarterback with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers in 1975, but did not play in a game); Toby Gerhart (father, Todd, played in the USFL with the Denver Gold in 1985-86 and went to NFL training camp with the Minnesota Vikings in 1986 and Houston Oilers in 1987); Jonathan Kaskow (father, Chris, played men's doubles tennis at Wimbledon in 1977); Kellen Kiilsgaard (grandfather, Carl, played for the NFL's Chicago Cardinals in 1950); Michael Marshall (father, Mike, was a two-time World Series champion and played 11 MLB seasons from 1981-91 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox); Kellen McColl (father, Milt was a two-time Super Bowl champion during an eight-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Raiders from 1981-88; grandfather, Bill, played for the NFL's Chicago Bears from 1952-59; uncle, Duncan, was drafted by the NFL's Washington Redskins in 1977); Brett Mooneyham (father, Bill, pitched for the Oakland Athletics in 1986) and Jordan Pries (grandfather, Bud Daley, was a two-time World Series winner during a 10-year MLB career with the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees from 1955-64).
A Look at the Schedule
Long a staple under head coach Mark Marquess, Stanford is once again playing a tough schedule in 2009. The Cardinal will play a total of 25 games against nine clubs that advanced to the 2008 NCAA Tournament: Arizona (3 games), Arizona State (3), California (5), Cal State Fullerton (3), San Diego (1), Texas (3), UC Davis (2), UCLA (3) and Vanderbilt (2).
Stanford Among the All-Time Best
Currently in its 116th season of college baseball, Stanford has posted the fifth-most wins of any NCAA Division I program with a 2,563-1,612-34 (.613) all-time record. That ledger includes 128 NCAA Tournament wins over 28 appearances, tied for the sixth-most all-time.
Leading the Pac
Since the Pac-10 disbanded the two-division system and realigned prior to the 1999 season, Stanford leads all conference teams with 435 wins, four league titles and six trips to the College World Series.
Cardinal Consistency
After going 41-24-2 in 2008, Stanford has finished at least .500 in 15 straight seasons, and in 31 of 32 campaigns under head coach Mark Marquess.
The Cardinal has also advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 25 of the last 28 years (since 1982), while advancing to the College World Series 14 times over that span. By virtue of that success, players on 28 of the last 30 four-year graduating classes at Stanford have played in Omaha.
Stanford at the Plate
Stanford on the Mound
Stanford with the Gloves