Only Rain Delays Stanford

Stanford right-hander Justin Wayne became anxious during a one-hour rain delay that interrupted the Cardinal’s game against Clemson Sunday in the College World Series.

“A lot of things were going through my head,” Wayne said. ‘I got a little nervous.”

Stanford’s timely hitting and solid defense calmed Wayne when play resumed in the fourth inning and the top-ranked Cardinal went on to defeat the Tigers, 10-4, before 23,016 at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Stanford (49-15) will play Clemson or Louisiana Lafayette, a 6-3 winner Sunday night over San Jose State, on Wednesday.

San Jose State (41-24) was eliminated. Clemson (51-17) plays Louisiana Lafayette (48-19) Tuesday in an elimination game.

Wayne (15-3), selected by the Montreal Expos with the fifth overall pick in last week’s major league draft, gave up two runs, eight hits and struck out two in 7 2/3 innings.

Wayne established a school record for wins in a season--surpassing four others who won 14. He improved his career record to 31-4 and his postseason record to 5-0.

Wayne pitched out of potential jams in the first, second and fifth innings as Stanford built a 6-0 lead. The Tigers stranded 11 baserunners.

“When we had our runners in scoring position, he got tougher and shut us down,” Clemson third baseman Khalil Greene said.

Wayne got plenty of support from third baseman John Gall, shortstop Eric Bruntlett, left fielder Andy Topham and center fielder Edmund Muth, all of whom made acrobatic plays in the field to thwart Clemson comeback attempts after Stanford took a 3-0 lead in the third inning.

“Nothing was working too well,” Wayne said. “My curve ball and change-up were nonexistent. I was just throwing my fastball and letting the defense take care of the rest.”

Cardinal outfielder Joe Borchard, selected by the Chicago White Sox with the 12th pick in the draft, had three hits, including a two-run single in the third inning. Second baseman Chris O’Riordan and catcher Damien Alvarado also drove in two runs.

Stanford led, 7-0, before Clemson scored two runs in the fifth on a double by Ryan Riley.

Louisiana Lafayette 6, San Jose State 3--The Spartans’ improbable postseason run ended in the first game since 1986 between two teams making their first World Series appearances.

San Jose State had runners at first and second with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Ragin’ Cajun reliever Gordon O’Brien struck out John Fagan, Rob Douglass and Mike Gray.

Scott Dohmann (13-5) and O’Brien limited the Spartans to five hits.

San Jose State won a regional at Waco, Texas, and upset Houston in a best-of-three super-regional to reach the World Series.

“We didn’t play the games we had that got us here,” center fielder Ryan Brucker said. “Friday [against Clemson] we made four errors. Tonight we didn’t hit.”

Danny Massiatte homered for Louisiana Lafayette and the Ragin’ Cajuns tied a season-high with five doubles among their 10 hits.

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College World Series

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

* Stanford 10, Clemson 4

* Louisiana Lafayette 6, San Jose St. 3

TODAY’S GAMES

* USC vs. LSU, noon (ESPN)

* Florida St. vs. Texas, 4 p.m.

All times Pacific