Four Homers Back Strong Mathews Start

STANFORD, Calif. - Junior Alberto Rios connected for a go-ahead grand slam in a six-run third inning, one of four homers for the Cardinal, as No. 6 Stanford (39-16) defeated San Jose State (31-26) 13-2 in the opening game of the Stanford Regional on Friday afternoon.

The home run was Rios' 18th of the season.

Eddie Park, who hit .700 in the 2022 Stanford Regional, got off to a hot start once again in the postseason, going 3-for-4 with four runs scored, two RBIs and a leadoff home run in the first - his sixth home run of the season.

Juniors Tommy Troy and Drew Bowser also homered, with Troy's home run coming as part of a 3-for-4 day at the plate with three runs scored and three RBIs. The round-tripper was Troy's 15th of the season, while Bowser's solo blast over the batter's eye in the third inning was his 11th.

Senior Quinn Mathews (8-4) started on the mound and picked up the win for Stanford. The left-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits, allowing two walks and striking out seven. Mathews faced just two over the minimum from the fourth through the seventh, with one reaching via an error. Junior Brandt Pancer finished the game for the Cardinal, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing two hits, with no walks and two strikeouts.

UP NEXT
Stanford will advance to play the winner of Texas A&M and Cal State Fullerton on Saturday at 6 p.m.

GAME NOTES
» Stanford scored once in the first, six times in the third, four in the fifth and two in the seventh.
» Carter Graham (1-for-4) extended his hitting streak to 22 consecutive games with an RBI double in the seventh inning.
» Rios' grand slam was his second of the season and the fifth for the Cardinal this year.
» Stanford has now hit 106 home runs this year.
» Every Stanford starter reached base safely in the win.
» Stanford took the lead at 7-2 in the bottom half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» The Cardinal out-hit the Spartans at an 11-7 clip.
» Stanford went 4-for-10 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Stanford pitchers limited San Jose State to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Stanford pitchers faced 36 San Jose State hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Cardinal drew five walks from San Jose State pitching.
» San Jose State was led offensively by senior Jack Colette, who went 1-for-4 with two RBIs.