May 22, 2000
STANFORD, Calif. - The third-ranked Stanford baseball team (42-13) will open up NCAA Tournament play by hosting Fresno State University (40-19) on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Sunken Diamond in the first round of regional action. The four-team double-elimination regional also features 22nd-ranked Nevada (37-17) and 23rd-ranked Alabama (38-22).
The second-seeded Crimson Tide will take on the third-seeded Wolf Pack at 3:00 p.m., followed by the top-seeded Cardinal and fourth-seeded Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. The tournament then continues with games at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and concludes with games at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (if necessary) on Sunday. The winner of the regional advances to the NCAA Super Regionals on June 2-4. The winners of the regionals at Stanford and Minnesota will meet in the Super Regionals at a site to be announced.
"Needless to say, this will be an extremely difficult regional," Stanford head coach Mark Marquess said. "All four teams have strong traditions, and any of the four have a great chance to advance to the Super Regionals."
The regional has a familiar flair as all three out-of-town participants have traveled to Sunken Diamond for postseason play in the last three seasons, and each advanced to the regional finals.
Stanford is hosting its fifth straight regional dating back to 1996 and in its two regional victories defeated teamed in this year's field in the championship game. The Cardinal defeated Fresno State 5-2 in the old six-team regional format in '97, and knocked off Nevada 7-4 in the finals last season as the NCAA used four-team regionals for the first time. Alabama advanced to the regional finals at Sunken Diamond in 1998 before falling to Long Beach State 5-3.
Tickets can be obtained by stopping by the Stanford Ticket Office at gate two of Stanford Stadium or by calling 1-800-BEATCAL. All-session passes are $35 for adults and $20 for children, seniors and students, while single game tickets (available beginning Friday) are $10 for adults and $6 for children, seniors and students.
REGIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday, May 26 (All games at Sunken Diamond/Stanford, California)
3:00 p.m. - Nevada (37-17) vs. Alabama (38-22)
7:00 p.m. - Fresno State (40-19) at Stanford (42-13)
Saturday, May 27
11:00 a.m. - Nevada/Alabama loser vs. Fresno State/Stanford loser
3:00 p.m. - Nevada/Alabama winner vs. Fresno State/Stanford winner
7:00 p.m. - Winner of 11:00 a.m. game vs. Loser of 3:00 p.m. game
Sunday, May 28
1:00 p.m. - Championship game: Winner of Saturday's 3:00 p.m. game vs. Winner of Saturday's 7:00 p.m. game
5:00 p.m. Championship game #2, if necessary (only played if the undefeated team loses game one)