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Stanford fell behind early and could never rally, losing to North Carolina State 10-4 in the first game of the College World Series in Omaha on Saturday.
A usually reliable defense committed three errors and had at least one mental error that proved costly. The Wolfpack scored four unearned runs.
“We did not play well and they took advantage of every mistake we made,” Stanford coach David Esquer said. “They were able to expand upon plays we didn’t make.”
Brandon Beck (9-2) lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing six runs, three earned, on seven hits. He walked two and struck out 10 as Stanford (36-18) played in its first College World Series since 2008.
“I could have set the tone a little bit better in the first inning by keeping the ball in the yard,” Beck said. “Never a good way to start a game.”
The Cardinal already faced a 6-0 deficit when Tim Tawa hit his 12th home run of the season, a solo shot in the fourth.
Beck and Quinn Mathews kept it close until Stanford broke through with three runs in the sixth, two on Christian Robinson’s home run.
“I thought we did a good job of making it a game again,” Esquer said. “I think with the bases loaded, down by two and Brock Jones at the plate I think is a pretty good place to be.”
It was still 6-4 in the top of the ninth when the Wolfpack tacked on four more runs.
“Our team is resilient and they’re not going to let up,” Esquer said. “I think it was a lesson today that Brendan Beck just can’t do it all by himself.”
Stanford returns to action at 11 a.m. Monday in the double elimination tournament, facing Arizona, which lost to Vanderbilt on Saturday’s later game between Arizona and Vanderbilt. Alex Williams will start for the Cardinal.
By Rick Eymer
By Rick Eymer
By Rick Eymer
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