Stanford: Stanford-USC, Game 3

By Alex Gyr - March 11, 2007

Most of the attention on campus is devoted to the selection show later today (Go UNC!), but here at Sunken the Cardinal are trying to avoid the sweep against USC. Jeremy Bleich threw eight shutout innings, but USC tallied two runs in the ninth to claim the 2-1 victory.

Stanford will send Nolan Gallagher back out for another Sunday start. Gallagher has really struggled, even in the Sunday role and it won't be easy against today against a lefty-dominated USC lineup. USC is going with Tommy Milone. I got to see Milone pitch twice as a freshman last year and the only thing that really stood out is how slow he works. He is a crafty lefty and I think his pace really keeps hitters off balance.

A loss today would be an unfortunately noteworthy one for the Cardinal. Stanford hasn't been swept at home in ten years. The last time Stanford was swept at Sunken Diamond was 1997 to Arizona State. Every time I see a stat like that I am amazed the level of success that Mark Marquess has been able to maintain at Stanford for so many years.

Sorry for the short entry this morning and missing yesterday's ballgame. I'll be back after the game with an extensive breakdown of the series.