Fear the Tree: Stanford Starts Sunday in Strong Fashion

By Chris Mycoskie

Stanford was clicking on all cylinders, allowing the Cardinal to beat Indiana by a decisive 13-0 count. After earning its first win of the season on Saturday vs. Louisiana, the Hoosiers dealt with a setback Sunday to close their time at the Karbach Round Rock Classic.

“The only way to go do great things is to get on the field with great competition,” Indiana head coach Jeff Mercer said. “It helps you to grow. As a program, we need to go challenge ourselves. For us, the ultimate goal is to be a national contender. You won’t do by not going to play against teams in that same league.”

Stanford designated hitter Brett Barrera continued a great weekend at Dell Diamond. Following a 2-for-3 outing and a solo home run vs. Louisiana on Friday, he went 3-for-3 Sunday with 4 RBI.

Three other Cardinal student-athletes also tallied multiple RBI performances. Shortstop Adam Crampton finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Owen Cobb pinch ran for Barerra in the 5th and remained as the designated hitter for an at-bat in the 6th, where he delivered a two-run double down the left field line.

Stanford starting pitcher Drew Dowd earned the win, allowing three hits and no runs over four innings of work. He struck out eight Hoosiers and walked two. IU starter Reese Sharp was saddled with the loss, allowing five runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Coaches agreed to put the 10-run rule into effect for all three Sunday games, so this matchup ended following the top of the sixth. Stanford will quickly reset and prepare to face Arkansas at 3 p.m. Central.