Stanford Beats Louisiana in Chilly Opener

By Chris Mycoskie

With first pitch temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, with winds making it feel like 23, conditions for the Karbach Round Rock Classic opener would never be described as perfect baseball weather. Still, nobody from Stanford or Louisiana was complaining.

“Our guys do a great job of embracing the hard stuff,” Stanford head coach David Esquer said. “They’re going to act like it’s 65 degrees and sunny. The elements are sometimes the mark of a team that’s a little weak-minded or doesn’t have the will to come out and play tough baseball.”

The Cardinal showed a ton of energy on a chilly afternoon at Dell Diamond, winning 5-1 over the Ragin’ Cajuns. Stanford has won three matchups with Louisiana all-time, the first two coming at the 2000 College World Series.

“Stanford just beat us. We didn’t play near well enough to have a chance,” Louisiana head coach Matt Deggs said. “Oddly enough, those (cold) elements were in our favor. We’re built for days like this, any type of adversity. That’s who we are. It’s just a matter of playing better offensively.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns began the game with a leadoff triple from Max Marusak, who scored on a Tyler Robertson infield single to give Louisiana a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. That would be the only run the Ragin’ Cajuns scored. Stanford starting pitcher Alex Williams threw five innings, allowing only one additional hit the rest of the way.

“Once the game got rolling, I tried to keep my heart rate up,” Williams said. “We had the jet engines in the dugout, so that was big for us. We’re thankful (Peak Events) provided us with that. It wasn’t too much of a deal. At the end of the day, Louisiana’s dealing with the same conditions we are.”

Williams struck out six and did not give up a single walk in the win. Joey Dixon (two innings), Cody Jensen (one), and Braden Montgomery (one) held Louisiana down over the final four frames.

Stanford immediately countered Louisiana’s first inning run with two of their own in the bottom of the first off starting pitcher Tommy Ray. Kody Huff’s two-run home run brought Eddie Park around following his leadoff single. The Cardinal would add one run a piece in the third, fourth, and eighth innings. Stanford capped its offensive output with a leadoff home run from Brett Barrera in the eighth, bringing the score to its eventual final count.

The Karbach Round Rock Classic continues Saturday with two games. Louisiana faces Indiana at 11 a.m. Central, followed by Stanford vs. Arkansas at 4 p.m.