Jan. 21, 2001
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - Scott Neal's bases-loaded walk in the 12th inning capped an emotional 6-5 victoryover #11 Stanford in the debut at Baggett Stadium. Cal Poly, playingtheir first game at their new stadium in front of an overflow crowd of3,110, used seven pitchers to finally come up with a victory. Nathan Choate(1-0) pitched the last two innings of one-hit relief for the victory.John Hudgins (0-1) of Stanford was credited with the loss. The marathongame lasted 4 hours and 20 minutes.
Cal Poly nearly won the game with the first batter in the 12th. 3B KyleWilson (Santa Maria, CA) blasted a shot to deep left, only to hit the topof the wall. RF Chalon Tietje (San Luis Obispo, CA) reached on an errorwhen Hudgins threw his sacrifice bunt away. After an intentional walk toDH Bryan Gant (Northridge, CA) to load the bases, Neal walked to win the game.
Cal Poly opened the first inning with four runs. Lead-off batter Gantcollected the first hit at Baggett Stadium with a single to left. 2BChris Martinez (Simi Valley, CA) hit a triple to record two RBI.
The Cardinal got two back in the top of the 2nd, and one more in thesixth. Cal Poly scored an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th, tomake the score 5-3. However, last year's College World Series runners-uprefused to quit. They rallied for a two runs, on a Chris O'Riordandouble to tie the score at five.
The Mustangs pounded out 11 hits and committed no errors. Stanfordcollected eight hits, committed five errors and allowed a 1st inningpassed ball that scored a run.
Before the game, Cal Poly celebrated the opening of the first on-campushome field since 1972. Former Mustang standouts Dave Oliver, Mike Krukowand the stadium's namesake, Robin Baggett, participated in the OpeningPitch ceremony.