STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford (12-8, 4-5 Pac-12) sent 12 batters to the plate in the fifth inning, scoring eight runs on five hits and two Washington State errors, to run away with an 8-3 victory and a series sweep over the Cougars (9-14, 1-8 Pac-12) on Sunday from Sunken Diamond.
The eight-run inning began innocently enough as Kody Huff grounded a ball to shortstop for the first out. Braden Montgomery drew a hit-by-pitch on the ensuing play before Drew Bowser singled up the middle and moved to second on the throw to third. The return throw to second to try to nab Bowser advancing got into right field, allowing Montgomery to scamper home and cut a 2-0 deficit in half at 2-1. Following a fly out for the second out of the inning, Brock Jones drew a walk. A wild pitch moved Jones and Bowser up 90 feet, but the throw to try to get Jones on the back end of the play sailed into center field and allowed Bowser to trot home with the game-tying run.
The fifth inning continued with two-out walks to Eddie Park and Brett Barrera – loading the bases for Carter Graham. A wild pitch put Stanford on top 3-2 before Graham laced a two-RBI single into left-center field to run the Cardinal advantage to 5-2. Vincent Martinez followed with a single before Huff – batting for the second time in the inning – launched a three-run homer to left field to extend the advantage to 8-3. The round-tripper was the fourth of the season for Huff, including his second in as many games.
Stanford starter Drew Dowd, charged with single runs in the third, fourth and sixth, earned the victory after logging seven innings and allowing the three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts. The victory moved Dowd to 4-0 on the season.
Brandt Pancer and Cody Jensen each tossed a 1-2-3 inning out of the bullpen, with Pancer striking out a pair in the eighth before handing the ball to Jensen for the ninth.
Martinez finished the game 3 for 4 with a double and one run scored. Graham went 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 15 games. The native of Los Angeles is hitting .410 (25 for 61) with 17 runs scored, three doubles, six homers and 20 RBIs over the streak.
Stanford will continue Pac-12 play next weekend, visiting No. 6 Oregon State for a three-game series.