Feb. 5, 2000
Stanford, Calif. - Pitchers Justin Wayne and Tim Cunningham combined for a six-hitter to lead top-ranked Stanford to a 3-1 victory over #2 Cal State Fullerton in a non-conference battle between the nation'stop two ranked baseball teams. The Cardinal remains undefeated with the victory at 4-0, while Cal State Fullerton falls to 0-2.
Wayne (2-0) improved to 18-1 in his Stanford career, the best all-time record ever by a Cardinal pitcher. He pitched the first seven innings, allowing six hits and one run to go with seven strikeouts. Cunningham pitched the final two innings without giving up a hit to earn his first save of the season.
"I was able to pitch my game today," said Wayne following the contest. "I give my hitters a lot of credit. They've given me a lot of run support throughout my Stanford career."
"The pitching has been sharp on both sides during this series," said Stanford head coach Mark Marquess following the game. "I'm very pleased with our team. It's been a solid first four games. You like it, but you don't always expect it this early."
Stanford took a 1-0 lead in today's contest on a sacrifice fly by Eric Bruntlett in the bottom of the third inning to score Craig Thompson, who had reached on a dropped pop-up to lead off the inning.
Bruntlett would also drive home the team's second run with a fifth-inning single, again scoring Thompson. Joe Borchard's RBI-triple later in the frame to score Bruntlett finished the Cardinal scoring for the day.
Cal State Fullerton finally reached Wayne for a single run in the top of the seventh after a double by Shawn Norris and an RBI-single by Jeff Gates after Wayne had retired the first two hitters of the inning.
Borchard (2-for-4, 3B, RBI, SB), Thompson (2-for-4, 2B) and Bruntlett (2 RBI) led the Stanford attack. Norris (2-for-4, 2B) and Gates (2-for-4, RBI) paced the Titans.Titan pitcher Jon Smith (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned) in five innings.
The three-game series concludes Sunday (1:00 p.m.). Stanford's Brian Sager (0-0, 0.00) is scheduled to square off with Cal State Fullerton's Ronnie Corona (0-0, 0.00).