Michael Taylor hit a majestic 2-run homer in the top of the 8th to give the Cardinal a seemingly comfortable 11-6 lead, but NC State made it interesting in the bottom of the inning.

Stanford reliever Austin Yount got the first two outs of the inning, but the next three batters went HBP, HBP, and BB. That brought up Aaron Bates, who had homered off Yount to lead off the 7th. Stanford countered with Erik Davis, who shut down Texas’ big rally yesterday. Bates lined a single, his 4th hit of the day, to make it 11-7. Up came Jon Still, who had homered in the 3rd, but Davis got ahead in the count, then got Still to bounce harmlessly to 2nd to end the inning.

Stanford has scored in every inning except the 4th, so their bats may not be done yet.