Tough One in Stockton

STOCKTON, Calif. – Returning to action on Wednesday afternoon at Pacific (11-25), No. 18 Stanford (22-8) scored 12 runs on 11 hits, but fell short by a score of 15-12 after surrendering nine runs over the course of the final two Tiger offensive halves.

The two teams traded runs early, with Stanford scoring first and Pacific holding a 4-2 advantage after three.

The Cardinal, which returned to practice on Tuesday after being shut down for a week due to COVID-related issues within the program, got the bats going again in the fourth, plating five runs to take a 7-4 lead that lasted into the bottom of the sixth.

The Tigers managed to cut into the deficit and make it a one-run game at 7-6 with two runs in the sixth, but the Cardinal answered for four more in the seventh to extend the advantage to 11-6.

Storming back, Pacific scored six runs on four hits in the seventh inning, jumping back on top at 12-11. Having to rally once more, Stanford loaded the bases in the top of the eighth and Austin Kretzschmar drew the walk to draw even once again at 12-12.

With the game knotted, Stanford sent fifth-year senior Zach Grech back to the mound for his second inning of work. The right-hander issued a hit-by-pitch and a pair of two-out walks to load the bases before an infield single from James Arakawa plated what proved to be the game-winner. Charles Middleton added a two-RBI single on the ensuing play, pushing the tally to the eventual final of 15-12.

Grech, who was charged with four runs on three hits and two walks over 1 2/3 innings, was saddled with the loss and fell to 4-4. Nick Swanson worked the final 1 1/3 innings for Pacific to earn the victory and move to 2-2.

Offensively, Stanford received two-hit days from Tommy Troy, Christian Robinson and Nick Brueser. Troy, the leadoff man in the order, finished 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two doubles and two RBIs. Sophomore Brock Jones and junior Vincent Martinez also doubled for the Cardinal, with Martinez' two-bagger plating three runs in the five-run fourth.

Stanford, which sits in first place in the Pac-12, will stay on the road this weekend, traveling to USC for a three-game series beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday.