March 2, 2012
FRESNO, Calif.-- Host Fresno State (5-5) used a four-run sixth to give No. 1-ranked Stanford (8-1) its first loss of the season, following a 7-4 loss on Friday night.
Mark Appel (2-1) took the loss, giving up seven runs on eight hits in a complete game, striking out a career-high 11. He walked three.
Justin Haley (1-1) pitched the final 3.1 perfect innings for the win.
Aaron Judge homered twice, to left in the first to make it 2-0 and then a solo shot in the fourth to make it 3-2. Through five innings, the other eight hitters for Fresno State were a combined 1-for-16 with a walk as Appel retired eight in a row between Judge homers.
Fresno State opened up the game in the sixth with four runs to lead 7-4. With the bases loaded, and two outs, a ball hit off of Appel's leg with the bases loaded and the throw home was late, allowing the game to be tied. Chris Mariscal then followed with a three-run double to break the tie for the second time for the Bulldogs.
Stanford took its first lead in the fifth, at 4-3, when Stephen Piscotty hit a ball to right, scoring two to erase a 3-2 Bulldog lead. Brian Ragira hit a two-strike, two-out, two-run double to tie the game at 2-2 in the second after a dropped double play ball by first baseman Jordan Brink allowed the inning to continue.
Dodging trouble all night, FSU lefthander Tyler Linehan left two runners on in the sixth for reliever Justin Haley. Haley got an inning ending fly out as Stanford had runners on base in four of the first six innings. Linehan gave up four runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks over 5.2 innings.
NOTES: It was the most runs Appel has given up in a start since giving up seven runs in a loss at Arizona State last season... Judge entered the weekend series with a .226 average with just three RBIs until the first inning blast. He is considered one of Fresno State's top hitters...the series continues on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.... The Cardinal travel to Saint Mary's on Tuesday.