Hudgins Is on His Game for Stanford in Victory

In his 27 years as Stanford’s head coach, Mark Marquess has groomed some of the game’s top pitchers.

John Hudgins separated himself from the rest with his third win of the College World Series as the Cardinal evened the best-of-three championship series with an 8-3 victory over Rice on Sunday.

“This game was all about John Hudgins,” said Marquess, at the CWS for the 13th time. “We’ve had some great pitchers at Stanford, but I don’t think any of the pitchers from any of the teams I’ve brought here has accomplished what John has accomplished during these 10 days. I don’t know whether it can be matched. Pressure games. Short rest. Just a phenomenal job.”

Stanford (51-17) and Rice (57-12) will play for the national championship tonight.

“Stanford was the better team today,” said Owl Coach Wayne Graham, who was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing a called third strike on Paul Janish. “We have to come back and play better.”

Hudgins (14-3) became the eighth pitcher to win three games in the tournament, and the first since Wichita State’s Greg Brummett in 1989. He also became one of 10 pitchers to win four College World Series games in their careers.

Hudgins, who beat South Carolina in Stanford’s College World Series opener and Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday, went seven-plus innings against Rice, allowing 10 hits and three runs. He walked three and struck out five.

In 24 CWS innings, the junior right-hander has given up five earned runs, walked six and struck out 15.

Stanford’s Sam Fuld homered leading off the bottom of the first inning to tie Texas’ Keith Moreland for most career College World Series hits, with 23.

The Cardinal scored two more runs in the third against starter Wade Townsend (11-2) when Brian Hall scored from third on Townsend’s wild pitch, and Tobin Swope scored on Carlos Quentin’s RBI single.

Stanford, helped by Rice first baseman Vincent Sinisi’s two rare errors, built its lead to 8-1 in the seventh.

The Cardinal loaded the bases when Sinisi fielded Brian Hall’s bunt and threw wildly to second baseman Jed Lowrie, who was covering first. Townsend walked Swope to force in a run, and Fuld reached when Sinisi mishandled his grounder, bringing in another run.

Then Jonny Ash hit a two-run double to right-center.

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Today’s Game

* What: College World Series title game; Final game of best-of-three championship series.

* Who: Stanford vs. Rice.

* When: 4 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.