STANFORD – Stanford scored a run in the bottom of the ninth on Friday night to top UC Santa Barbara, 6-5, in the opener of the teams three-game series, thwarting the Gauchos’ hopes of beating the No. 24 Cardinal.
Stanford’s Stephen Piscotty reached to open the ninth on shortstop Matt Valaika’s throwing error, although pitchers David Meals and Connor Whalen almost got out of the jam.
A sacrifice bunt moved Piscotty to third and Whalen, making his Gaucho debut, got a pinch-hitter to ground back to the box.
However, pinch-hitter Jonathan Kaskow singled to left-center for the victory.
UCSB falls to 3-3 while Stanford improves to 5-3.
Valaika’s night, however, shouldn’t be concentrated on the error. The senior went 4-for-5 and his two-run homer in the first inning gave the Gauchos one of their three leads of the night. Valaika finished with three RBI.
Stanford took 3-2 lead with three runs in the fourth inning but UCSB rallied back for two runs in the top of the fifth. Sean Williams’ double scored Ryan Palermo and Valaika later singled in Williams.
Marty Mullins hit a leadoff home run in the seventh to give UCSB a 5-4 advantage. Yet, the Cardinal scored once in the bottom of the inning to even things up.
UCSB left eight runners on, however the Cardinal stranded 13. UCSB batters struck out a total of 15 times on the night.
Mario Hollands started for the Gauchos and allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out three and walked three.
Mike Ford made his season debut and allowed one run in two innings.
