Feb. 3, 2001
Fullerton, Calif. - Stanford's Chris O'Riordan hit a three-RBI double with two outs in the top of the ninth inning and the Cardinal turned a double play with the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame on the game's final play to preserve a 9-8 victory over Cal State Fullerton in an NCAA baseball game on Saturday at Goodwin Field. Stanford improves to 3-3 on the season, while Cal State Fullerton drops to 1-2.
O'Riordan (3-5, 2B, 4 RBI) and Jason VanMeetren (3-5, 2B, RBI) led the Stanford hitting attack. Mike Rouse (3-4, 2B, HR, RBI) led Cal State Fullerton offensively. Ryan McCally (1-1) earned the victory for the Cardinal, while Chad Cordero (1-1) picked up the loss for the Titans after winning Friday night's contest. Jason Luker forced Shawn Norris into the game-ending double play to record his first save of the season.
The one-run victory snapped a string of five consecutive one-run losses for the Cardinal dating back to the final series of the regular season last year. All three of Stanford's losses in 2001 have been by one run and come on the opponents' final at bat.
"It was nice to get this one," said a relieved Stanford head coach Mark Marquess about his 998th career victory at Stanford. "I was very proud of the team and the way it bounced back. We were behind most of the game. Obviously, Chris O'Riordan had the big hit with his three-run double in the ninth. That was the difference in the game."
Stanford trailed 6-3 before scoring three times in the top of the sixth inning to tie the score at 6-6. Scott Dragicevich led off the inning with a solo home run, his second of the season. O'Riordan had an RBI single to drive home Ryan Garko and Arik VanZandt tied the score with an RBI double to score Carlos Quentin.
Stanford opened the scoring with a single run in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Jason Cooper.
Cal State Fullerton rallied with three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 3-1 lead and did not trail again until the ninth inning. Aaron Rifkin had an RBI double for the Titans' first run before RBI singles by Brett Kay and Jason Corapci put the Titans ahead 3-1. Fullerton extended its lead to 4-1 on a solo homer by Rouse in the bottom of the second inning.The Cardinal closed the gap to 4-3 on an RBI double by VanMeetren and an RBI single by Andy Topham in the top of the third inning before the Titans made it 6-3 on a solo homer by David Bacani and an RBI single from Norris in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Garko (2-4), Dragicevich (2-5, HR, RBI) and VanZandt (2-6, 2B, RBI) added two hits each for Stanford. Cal State Fullerton had two hits each from Bacani (2-4, HR, RBI), Robert Guzman (2-4), Rifkin (2-4, 2 2B, RBI) and Shane Costa (2-4, 2B). Both teams had 15 hits each.
Stanford and Cal State Fullerton conclude their three-game non-conference series on Sunday with the rubber game. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
"It's been a excellent series so far," added Marquess about the pair of one runs games. "Hopefully, we'll have another great game tomorrow."