Jan. 29, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. -- Top-ranked Stanford used three homeruns and an outstanding pitching performance by preseason All-American Justin Wayne to defeat Fresno State, 7-1, in a non-conference baseball game on Saturday at Pete Beiden Field. Wayne (1-0) held the Bulldogs scoreless for the first five innings in his first outing of the 2000 season as he improved to 17-1 all-time at Stanford, the best winning percentage ever by a Cardinal pitcher. Highly-touted freshman designated hitter Jason Cooper and senior first baseman Craig Thompson each blasted two-run homers in a four-run Cardinal second, while sophomore outfielder Jason VanMeetren added a solo shot in the sixth.
Stanford, which also beat Fresno State on Friday, improves to 2-0. Fresno State falls to 0-2."This was a very solid baseball game for us," said Stanford head coach Mark Marquess. "Justin Wayne did a great job on the mound and we had a couple of two-run homers. We played well and I'm pleased."
The left-handed hitting Cooper provided Stanford with all the offensive fireworks the Cardinal would need when he drilled an offering by losing pitcher Shawn Hannah (0-1) over the left field fence with one out in the top of the second inning. Cooper was the highest player selected in last year's draft not to sign a professional contract. Thompson increased the Cardinal lead to 4-0 with his two-run shot later in the frame.
"Jason Cooper is a tremendous power hitter and today's homerun was just an example of that," said Marquess about the opposite field home run. "He may end up being as good of a power hitter that we've ever had come into Stanford."
Wayne mowed through the Bulldog lineup in the first 5.1 innings, allowing just two hits and no runs as he retired 11 in a row between the second and sixth innings. However, Wayne would run into trouble after one out in the sixth. The trouble began when junior pinch-hitter Monte Prieto drew the first base-on-balls issued by Wayne with one out. Wayne then walked sophomore second baseman Tom Creighton before a single by sophomore first baseman Brandon Gemoll loaded the bases and knocked Wayne out of the game.
Freshman left-hander Tim Cunningham relieved Wayne and set down Bulldog leftfielder Anthony Acevedo on strikes for the second out. Cunningham would issue a free pass to freshman pinch-hitter Ben Fritz with the bases loaded to allow one run before getting out of the jam by inducing senior outfielder Mike Bowlin into an inning-ending fielders choice. Cunningham would remain in the game until the ninth inning, pitching three hitless innings before sophomore right-hander Mike Wodnicki came in to retire the final two Bulldog batters.Stanford had an excellent offensive showing for the second straight contest as Thompson (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) led the way. Senior third baseman John Gall (2-for-5, 3B) and senior outfielder Edmund Muth (2-for-5, 2B) also had multiple-hit games for the Cardinal. Gemoll (2-for-4) was the only Bulldog with more than one hit.
The three-game series concludes Sunday afternoon at Beiden Field (1 p.m.). Stanford right-hander Brian Sager is scheduled to pitch against Fresno State left-hander Beau Hintz.