Ninth-seeded Stanford in the opening game of the double-elimination 2021 College World Series on Saturday.
After two commanding wins at the Lubbock Super Regional where Stanford baseball relied on great starting pitching, stout defense and timely hits, the Cardinal struggled to utilize those strengths in their opening game of the 2021 College World Series against NC State.
Following a scoreless third inning, the fourth proved to be fruitful for both teams. A solo home run and a timely hit pushed across three runs for NC State to extend the lead to six, although Beck continued to rack up a number of strikeouts.
With a runner on first and the top of the order for the Wolfpack at the plate in the top of the sixth, the Cardinal made the call to the bullpen and brought on sophomore left hander Quinn Mathews.
In 5 ⅔ innings of work, Beck gave up seven hits, six runs and struck out 10.
Both pitching staffs retired the opposing side free of hassle until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Stanford sophomore catcher Kody Huff led off the inning with a single to the left side.
NC State then turned to junior Evan Justice out of the pen, who induced a strikeout from freshman DH Tommy Troy, before sophomore shortstop Adam Crampton loaded the bases with a laser line drive into left field.
With the momentum on their side, the Cardinal turned to fifth year closer Zach Grech for the 8th inning and he was able to keep the deficit at 6-4.
The Wolfpack had a different idea in mind, scoring four runs to make the score 10-4 before the Cardinal could head back to the dugout.
Next up the Cardinal will face Arizona, who lost to Vanderbilt 7-6 in extra innings on Saturday evening.
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