FULLERTON, Calif. - Sophomore Kris Bubic was perfect through four, held a no-hitter into the sixth and struck out a career-high 10 batters, but No. 8 Cal State Fullerton tallied the game's only run to top No. 23 Stanford on Opening Day in Southern California, 1-0.
Bubic was in control from the start on Thursday night. He struck out the side in the first inning and whiffed five through two. After the first four innings, Bubic had retired all 12 batters and struck out a career-high eight.
Bubic did not allow a baserunner until a leadoff walk in the fifth, and did not allow a hit until there were two out in the sixth. But that's when the Titans broke through with a double and single to plate the run.
Fullerton's highly-touted starting rotation was up to the task. Connor Seabold, who was slated to start Saturday before the series was moved up a day due to weather, and Colton Eastman, who is the Titans' Friday starter, held the Cardinal to six hits.
Stanford left runners at first and second in the second and fifth. Junior Mikey Diekroeger finished with two hits, including a two-out double in the seventh, but he was stranded there. In the ninth, junior Quinn Brodey led off with a single and stole second with two outs, but a strikeout ended the game.
NUMBERS…
Bubic allowed just one run on two hits and two walks in six innings. His previous career high for strikeouts was seven, which he did in two of his previous three career starts. Right-handers Tyler Thorne and Keith Weisenberg each worked an inning of scoreless relief. Alex Dunlap, Duke Kinamon and Jack Klein had Stanford's other three hits as the Cardinal out-hit the Titans, 6-3 … Head Coach Mark Marquess, who is retiring at the conclusion of the season, finishes his career 30-11 on Opening Day.
AND NOTABLES
Stanford played without Tommy Edman for the first time in 143 games ... Nico Hoerner made the start at shortstop after 140 straight starts by Edman, who was drafted in the sixth round by the Cardinals ... Freshmen Daniel Bakst (DH) and Kyle Stowers (LF) made their collegiate debuts in the starting lineup ... Sophomore Alec Wilson logged his first two career at-bats after he served as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement in 14 games last year.
UP NEXT
Stanford and Cal State Fullerton are scheduled to play Saturday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m., weather permitting. The Cardinal is also slated for a Monday matinee at Cal Poly at 1 p.m. Follow Stanford on twitter and instagram (stanfordbsb), and on Facebook for up-to-the-minute latest updates.
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