SAN ANTONIO – No. 6 Stanford (6-2) made four uncharacteristic errors on Monday afternoon at Roadrunner Field, leading to three unearned runs and a 10-inning 6-5 setback to UTSA (7-1).
The Cardinal had committed just two errors through the first seven games of the season.
Tied at five headed to the bottom of the 10th inning, junior shortstop Adam Crampton committed a fielding error and compounded the mistake with an errant throw that sailed into the visiting dugout. A sacrifice bunt followed and sophomore hurler Tommy O'Rourke attempted to throw out the runner at third, but the throw was late – leaving runners at the corners with nobody out.
Leadoff man Leyton Barry contributed the game-winner one play later – lacing a single to the base of the wall in left-center field to claim the walk-off win.
Sophomore first baseman Carter Graham proved to be a highlight for the Cardinal, going 2 for 5 with a pair of home runs – a solo homer in the fourth inning to tie the game at two and a two-run blast to bring the Cardinal back even at five in the eighth.
The home runs were the first of Graham's career and marked the second multi-homer game of the year for the Cardinal after Braden Montgomery hit a pair against Cal State Fullerton on February 20.
Freshman Ty Uber got the start for Stanford, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out four before not factoring into the decision.
Five Stanford relievers pitched on Monday, including Austin native Justin Moore. Moore allowed a run on two hits over one inning of work. Max Meier (one inning), Ryan Bruno (two innings) and Cody Jensen (one inning) all contributed scoreless frames in relief for the Cardinal.
O'Rourke finished the game on the hill for the Cardinal, allowing the unearned run in the 10th to take the loss and fall to 0-1 on the season.
Shane Sirdashney finished 3 for 5 with a run scored and two RBIs for UTSA. The Roadrunners managed five extra-base hits in the victory – three doubles and two triples.
John Chomko pitched the final two innings for the Roadrunners, collecting four strikeouts over the two scoreless to pick up the victory and move to 1-0 on the season.
The Cardinal managed five runs on six hits, but also struck out a season-high 14 times in the loss.
Stanford will return home to host CSUN this weekend in a three-game series. Friday's opener is set for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch.