Montgomery's Grand Slam Guides Stanford By ASU

STANFORD, Calif. – Freshman Braden Montgomery broke a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning, launching his first career grand slam to help guide Stanford (16-10, 8-6 Pac-12) to a 10-6 victory and a series win over Arizona State (14-18, 5-6 Pac-12) on Saturday from Sunken Diamond.

The home run was Montgomery's sixth of the year and was the second in as many games for the native of Madison, Miss. Montgomery finished the game 2 for 4 with two runs scored and the four driven in.

Senior Vincent Martinez also homered for the second consecutive game, finishing 1 for 3 with a solo shot that tied the game at two in the fifth.

The Cardinal used seven pitchers on Saturday afternoon, including Sunday's projected starter Quinn Mathews for the final out in the ninth. Mathews inherited two on with two after Ryan Bruno walked three and struck out four over the previous 1 2/3 innings.

For his effort, Mathews was credited with his second save of the year.

Sophomore Drew Dowd got the start and lasted two innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two strikeouts.

Freshman Ty Uber contributed the longest stay on the hill for the Cardinal in the win, allowing just one run over 3 2/3 innings with a career-high six strikeouts.

Tommy O'Rourke, the fourth pitcher used by Stanford on the afternoon, eventually earned the victory after pitching a scoreless seventh inning to keep the game tied and set the table for Montgomery's go-ahead grand slam. The victory moved O'Rourke to 1-3 on the season.

Will Levine was saddled with the loss and dropped to 2-2 after being charged with four runs (three earned) on two hits over two innings after ASU starter Adam Tulloch went 4 1/3 and gave up three runs on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts.

Stanford will look for its second Pac-12 series sweep of the year on Sunday as the two teams clash at 1:05 p.m.