SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Brian Juhl’s first career home run in the sixth inning proved to be the game-winner in Stanford’s 5-4 victory over Sacramento State on Wednesday afternoon at Hornet Field.The Cardinal improves to 24-21 on the year, while the Hornets fall to 20-29, losing their last two games by one-run scores.
Both teams used the first inning to do the majority of their offensive damage. Brent Milleville’s two run double in the top of the first helped Stanford to a 3-0 lead, scoring Michael Taylor and Chris Minaker. Stanford put up three runs on three hits in the inning, with Taylor responsible for the first run of the game, recording a RBI-single to left that plated Ryan Seawell.
Sacramento State responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on four hits to tie the game. Stanford left-hander Blake Holler recorded two quick outs, but catcher Buddy Morales kept the inning going with a single to left field. First baseman Devin Spurling’s single put runners on the corners for sophomore third baseman David Flores. The Union City, Calif., native singled to plate Morales for the Hornets’ first run.
Sacramento State tied the game on senior Jim Strombach’s two-run triple down the right field line. It was the Aiea, Hawaii, native’s third triple of the year and seventh of his career. Strombach also recorded his ninth sacrifice of the season and 12th stolen base.
Stanford added its fourth run of the game off Juhl’s RBI-single to left field in the third. Juhl finished his day 2-for-4 with one run scored and two RBIs.
Morales led off the bottom of the inning for Sacramento State with his 13th double of the year. Spurling’s sacrifice advanced Morales to third, and the West Covina, Calif., native scored the game-tying run on Flores’ double down the left field line.
Flores finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored. The James Logan High School graduate is now leading the team with a .338 average and 15 doubles.
Morales reached base on four occasions, going 2-for-2 while being hit by a pitch and walked.
Senior Travis Kane (3-5) took the loss for Sacramento State, pitching two innings and allowing one run on one hit.
Stanford’s David Stringer (3-4) earned the win, pitching 5.2 innings and holding the Hornets scoreless on two hits.
Sacramento State next travels to Nevada for a three-game Western Athletic Conference series. The first game of the series begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and can be heard on www.hornetsports.com with Dylan McKenzie providing the play-by-play. Saturday’s game will also have a 6 p.m. start, followed by Sunday at 1 p.m. Hornet fans can follow the action for the final two games of the series on gametracker at www.nevadawolfpack.com.
