May 11, 2012
Box Score 
STANFORD, Calif. - Mark Appel struck out 10 in eight innings of work and No. 11 Stanford defeated Washington State 3-2 in Pac-12 Conference baseball at Sunken Diamond, Friday night.
Appel (8-1) gave up two runs, including Taylor Ard's conference leading 11th home run of the season, a solo shot in the eighth inning. Tanner Chleborad (4-2) went the distance for the Cougars (24-21, 9-12 Pac-12).
"Appel will be one of the top-three picks in the draft and he pitched well," Washington State Head Coach Donnie Marbut said. "Tanner (Chleborad) was really good for us and we lost a tight ballgame to a quality team. That is what makes this conference so tough."
The Cougars scored first with a run in the fourth. Derek Jones led off with a double. Jones moved to third as Adam Nelubowich reached first base on a strike three wild pitch. Jones came home when Tommy Richards grounded into a double play.
The Cardinal took a 2-1 lead with a pair of runs in the fifth on three hits and a walk. Back-to-back doubles to open the sixth increased Stanford's lead to 3-1.
After Ard pulled the Cougars within a run, Washington State put the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth against A.J. Vanegas. Jason Monda singled with one out and pinch hitter Nate Blackham walked with two outs. However, Vanegas retired Kyle Johnson on a foul out to earn his third save.
GAME NOTES
Tanner Chleborad's complete game was the first for Washington State this season...first by a Cougar right-hander since Chad Arnold against Oregon State, April 23, 2010...series continues at 2 p.m., Saturday.
