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batted balls · 06-23-2006, 06:14 PM

August 11, 2006

Austin, Tex.-All season long Stanford manager Mark Marquess has wanted more offense. Left fielder Pete Stanicek obliged by hitting for the cycle. Still, it wasn't enough for a Stanford win.

"We haven't hit like this in a long time," said Marquess. "Unfortunately, today the pitching fell apart."

Despite a furious ninth-inning rally, Stanford was outslugged by Texas 10-9. In all, Stanicek collected a season-high five hits including a ninth-inning single to put the potential tying run into scoring position. However, Texas closer Huston Street came out the bullpen to strike out Ed Sprague and end the game. It was Street's 23rd save of the season.

Stanicek began his assault on Longhorn pitching by leading the game off with a triple. The Cardinal infielder then singled home a run in the third and doubled in the sixth. Stanicek completed his cycle with a two-run homer in the eighth. All four hits came off Texas starter Calvin Schiraldi.

"Pete hit me harder than anyone has all year long," Schiraldi said. "My cap's off to him."

Stanicek's homer was his first of the year. Yet, Texas' lead still seemed safe at 9-4.

"I've been hitting the ball much better lately than I was earlier this season," said Stanicek, who was sent to the minors briefly in June. At the time of his demotion, Stanicek was batting just .217. Since returning to the Stanford lineup July 19, Stanicek has raised his average to .266.

"I wasn't worried about the cycle," Stanicek said. "I was worried about us coming back to win today's game."

After Texas scored an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, Stanford nearly did just that. The Cardinal rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth to make Longhorn manager Cliff Gustafson sweat things out.

"Sure I was worried," Gustafson said. "The way Stanford had grabbed momentum and the way Stanicek was swinging the bat you didn't know until the final out was in the books."

Texas chased Stanford starter Jack McDowell from the game after just 3.2 innings. All-Star Ernie Koy banged out four hits and Brooks Kieschnick hit a three-run homer as the Longhorns built a 9-1 lead. Dave Chalk was also 3-for-4 with a home run for Texas.

"We swung the balls well early," Gustafson said. "Ernie has been one of our best hitters all season long."

McDowell, 12-7, took the loss while Schiraldi improved to 8-11.

Stanicek became the first All-American Baseball League player to hit for the cycle since Arizona State's Duffy Dyer accomplished the feat on May 10.

06-23-2006, 06:14 PM	#111 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Stanford's Stanicek Hits for Cycle in Loss August 11, 2006 Austin, Tex.-All season long Stanford manager Mark Marquess has wanted more offense. Left fielder Pete Stanicek obliged by hitting for the cycle. Still, it wasn't enough for a Stanford win. "We haven't hit like this in a long time," said Marquess. "Unfortunately, today the pitching fell apart." Despite a furious ninth-inning rally, Stanford was outslugged by Texas 10-9. In all, Stanicek collected a season-high five hits including a ninth-inning single to put the potential tying run into scoring position. However, Texas closer Huston Street came out the bullpen to strike out Ed Sprague and end the game. It was Street's 23rd save of the season. Stanicek began his assault on Longhorn pitching by leading the game off with a triple. The Cardinal infielder then singled home a run in the third and doubled in the sixth. Stanicek completed his cycle with a two-run homer in the eighth. All four hits came off Texas starter Calvin Schiraldi. "Pete hit me harder than anyone has all year long," Schiraldi said. "My cap's off to him." Stanicek's homer was his first of the year. Yet, Texas' lead still seemed safe at 9-4. "I've been hitting the ball much better lately than I was earlier this season," said Stanicek, who was sent to the minors briefly in June. At the time of his demotion, Stanicek was batting just .217. Since returning to the Stanford lineup July 19, Stanicek has raised his average to .266. "I wasn't worried about the cycle," Stanicek said. "I was worried about us coming back to win today's game." After Texas scored an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, Stanford nearly did just that. The Cardinal rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth to make Longhorn manager Cliff Gustafson sweat things out. "Sure I was worried," Gustafson said. "The way Stanford had grabbed momentum and the way Stanicek was swinging the bat you didn't know until the final out was in the books." Texas chased Stanford starter Jack McDowell from the game after just 3.2 innings. All-Star Ernie Koy banged out four hits and Brooks Kieschnick hit a three-run homer as the Longhorns built a 9-1 lead. Dave Chalk was also 3-for-4 with a home run for Texas. "We swung the balls well early," Gustafson said. "Ernie has been one of our best hitters all season long." McDowell, 12-7, took the loss while Schiraldi improved to 8-11. Stanicek became the first All-American Baseball League player to hit for the cycle since Arizona State's Duffy Dyer accomplished the feat on May 10. Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 06-23-2006 at 06:57 PM.