Esquer’s homecoming better than expected

David Esquer knew he was taking over a talented Stanford ballclub when his alma mater hired him to succeed his mentor, Mark Marquess. He certainly didn’t envision wins in 17 of the first 19 games and a ranking as high as No. 2 in the major polls. “Oh, man, it’s been great to be back home, and yeah, the start has been more than I could expect,” Esquer said Monday, the day after Stanford beat Southern California 18-0 to complete a three-game sweep in which it outscored the Trojans 34-2. Stanford, as always, is anchored by strong pitching. The Cardinal’s 2.06 ERA ranks first in the nation, and they’re in the top 11 in the other major pitching statistics. Tristan Beck (3-0) and Kris Bubic (4-0) are returning weekend starters, freshman left-handed relievers Austin Weiermiller (4-1) and Jacob Palisch (2-0) have pleasantly surprised Esquer, and sophomore Jack Little has six saves since taking over as closer. All-Pac-12 shortstop Nico Hoerner leads a lineup that had to be reconfigured right before first pitch of the opener when second baseman Duke Kinamon strained a muscle in warmups. Kinamon still hasn’t played. The Cardinal prepped for the Pac-12 with nonconference series against Cal State Fullerton, Rice, Michigan to at home and a trip Texas, of where they won three four. “We learned a lot about ourselves and we won a lot of games, which you like to see,” Esquer said. “We’re ready for a lot of different styles of play. I don’t think there is going to be arm strength we haven’t seen already, or plus-breaking balls we haven’t seen already. We’re prepared for whatever is out there in college baseball.” Esquer played under Marquess on Stanford’s 1987 national championship team and was his assistant from 1991-96. He spent 18 seasons as head coach at California, where he was 2011 national coach of the year for leading the Bears to the College World Series. Esquer said he talks or sees Marquess at least once a week. The Cardinal played in an NCAA regional in the last of Marquess’ 41 seasons on The Farm, and Esquer said his old coach left with everything in place for him to succeed.