May 5, 2006
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Stanford, Calif. - Chris Minaker (3-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI) hit two solo home runs before leading off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single and scoring the game-winning run on Randy Molina's one-out RBI single to lift Stanford (21-20, 6-10 Pac-10) to a dramatic 3-2 victory over California (23-23, 8-11 Pac-10). Stanford ace Greg Reynolds (5-3) tossed his second consecutive complete game to outduel California ace Brandon Morrow (7-3). Comcast Sports Net televised the opener of the three-game Pac-10 series live.
"This game was incredible," said Minaker, who also extended his hit streak to a season-high-tying 11 games. "It was everything that is the Stanford-Cal rivalry, and us coming up with that big win was everything Stanford Baseball has represented over the last 30 years under coach (Mark) Marquess. That's a huge win for us and one that hopefully gets us going on a path to make a push for the postseason."
"This was the type of game and the type of situation I thought about when I came to play baseball at Stanford," added Molina. "You want to be the guy in a big spot like that and have a chance to come through."
Reynolds allowed just two runs, scattering six hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
Minaker scored all three of Stanford's runs off Morrow, who also allowed just six hits and struck out 11 without walking a batter in his complete game outing. Morrow retired the Cardinal in order in five of the six innings in which the Cardinal did not score.
"This was the type of game you look forward to pitching in against a guy like Brandon Morrow, and it lived up to its billing," commented Reynolds.
Josh Satin's solo homer with one out in the top of the fourth accounted for the first California run, while Chris Errecart was hit by a pitch in the sixth before eventually scoring on a wild pitch.
California had an opportunity to break a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth but Reynolds snagged Garrett Bussiere's two-out line drive back up the box, leaving Golden Bears stranded on first and second.
Boesch (3-4) had half of California's six hits, while Allen Craig was 2-for-4.
"It was a college baseball game," said Stanford head coach Mark Marquess.
"It was one of those games where if you get the big hit, you will probably win, and that's what we are able to do tonight."
FOX Sports Net Bay Area is scheduled to televise live Saturday's second game of the series (4 pm, PT). Stanford is scheduled to start RHP Matt Leva (2-0, 3.60) on the mound against California RHP Tyson Ross (4-4, 3.78). Neither team has announced a probable starting pitcher for Sunday's series finale at 1 pm, PT.
There will be promotions for the final two contests of the series. On Saturday, the "All-Time Starting 9" as voted upon by fans throughout the 2006 season will be announced and the first 2000 people through the gate will receive limited edition "All-Time Starting 9" trading cards. The annual Little League Day will be held in conjunction with Sunday's contest.