Stanford (13-2) received 5 ⅓ innings of scoreless relief from their bullpen to pull away from Texas (9-6) for the second consecutive game, with the Longhorn’s falling by a final of 9-3. The Cardinal received big games from Andrew Daschbach and Kyle Stowers, who each collected 2 hits and drove in 3 runs.
Texas starting pitcher Blair Henley received the loss after lasting 6 innings and allowing 5 runs, all in the first 2 innings of the game. Stanford reliever Austin Weiermiller was credited with the win after throwing 2 ⅓ innings of scoreless relief, striking out 3. Jack Little locked down his 6th save of the season, throwing the final 3 innings and allowing just 1 hit.
Stanford started the scoring in the bottom of the first when Andrew Daschbach hit a popup that fell between 3 Longhorns converging in centerfield, allowing Brandon Wulff, who reached base via a 2 out walk, to score all the way from first base.
The Cardinal would put up the first of two 4 run innings in the 2nd. Kyle Stowers led off the frame with a walk and advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch. After the next two hitters were retired, Jesse Kuet was hit by a pitch. Tim Tawa followed with a RBI single to center, doubling the Stanford lead to 2-0. Nico Hoerner then hit a RBI single of his own. After a Brandon Wulff walk loaded the bases, Daschbach delivered a 2 RBI single, stretching the Stanford lead to 5-0.
Texas began chipping away at the lead in the 4th thanks to the big bat of Zach Zubia. Masen Hibbeler gave the Longhorns their first hit of the game with a 1 out double off the left field wall. Kody Clemens followed with a walk, and Zubia cleared the bases with a 3 run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 5-3.
Following a leadoff walk to Tawa to start the top of the 9th, Texas turned to reliever Beau Ridgeway. Nico Hoerner welcomed Ridgeway with a single, moving Tawa to 3rd. After Hoerner took 2nd on defensive indifference, Nick Brueser worked a full count walk to load the bases. Maverick Handley drove home Tawa with a sacrifice fly to right field, giving Stanford a 6-3 lead. Kyle Stowers then connected on a 3-run home run to right center, padding the lead to 9-3.
The Longhorns totaled 7 hits on the afternoon, with David Hamilton and Kamron Fields being the only starters to not record a hit. Hamilton finished the afternoon 0 for 3 with 3 strikeouts, exiting the game early with a right shoulder injury.
Texas and Stanford will wrap up their 4 game series tomorrow afternoon as the Longhorns look for the series split. RHP Chase Shugart will take the mound for Texas, with Stanford’s starting pitcher TBA. Follow along at HornSports.com for live updates.
