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Baseball

End of an Era

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STANFORD, Calif. – No. 9 was worn for the final time on Saturday. The illustrious 41-year career of head coach Mark Marquess came to an end in Regional play at Sunken Diamond. No. 8 seed Stanford fell, 4-2, to Cal State Fullerton.

Marquess, who is colloquially known by his jersey number "Nine", announced his impending retirement prior to the start of the season. The No. 9 jersey was officially retired in a ceremony after his final home game on May 21 – the first retired number in program history.

Marquess slipped the jersey on for two final games on Saturday. The Cardinal defeated BYU, 9-1, to reach the Regional final against the Titans, but the nightcap proved to be the 2,512th and final game for the fourth-winningest coach in Division I history.

You can leave a personal message to Nine here: bit.ly/NineNote.

Jack Klein came to the plate as the tying run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The senior leader was one of Stanford's hottest hitters at the Regional and hit the go-ahead home run in the afternoon game. But a ground ball to second ended the season and sparked an emotional goodbye. 

Stanford fans and players gave a long ovation to Coach Marquess. Titans fans and players joined as well. Well afterward, Stanford players remained in the dugout and waited for Coach Marquess to pack up his briefcase one last time. 

It was nearly a storybook comeback. Stanford trailed by three entering the bottom of the ninth. Junior Quinn Brodey laced one down the right field line for a leadoff triple. Then some controversy struck. Freshman Daniel Bakst grounded to short and the throw was off line. The first baseman's foot appeared to be off the bag, but Bakst was called out. Coach Marquess asked for an appeal and after a long umpire conference, the call was reversed.

That brought the tying run to the plate. Duke Kinamon hit a rope, but directly at the left fielder. Then sophomore Brandon Wulff gave it a ride with a deep fly ball that reached the warning track in dead center. It was just feet from tying the game. The groundout sent the Titans to the Super Regional.

It was a tight, intense matchup throughout. The Titans opened the scoring with back-to-back two out hits in the first inning. After a single, Timmy Richards doubled off the top of the wall. The Cardinal relay nearly got the runner at the plate, but a close call went to the Titans.

Cal State Fullerton (37-21) got two more two-out runs in the second on a home run from Scott Hurst.

Stanford got one back in odd fashion. Kinamon singled off the first base bag. He then stole second and the throw bounced into centerfield. Kinamon continued to third where the throw from center bounced past third and into the Fullerton dugout, allowing Kinamon to trot home and make it 3-1.

Titans ace Colton Eastman retired the next 13 batters. Meanwhile, freshman starter Erik Miller retired 10 of 11 Titans to keep Stanford within two. Fellow freshman Will Matthiessen came on in relief and pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh. He also retired the first two hitters in the eighth before handing the ball to junior closer Colton Hock. Fullerton added an insurance run with a home run in the ninth. 
 
NUMBERS…
Miller (5-2) finished 5.0 innings, allowed four hits, three runs and struck out two. Matthiessen gave up just two hits and struck out two in 2.2 innings, and Hock recorded the final four outs. Stanford was out-hit, 7-3. Hoerner and Brodey each went 1-for-4, while Kinamon was 1-for-3. 

AND NOTABLES
Stanford's 42 wins were the most since a 46-win season in 2004 ... Stanford's 21 conference wins were the most since 1998 ... Stanford's 13 wins in the months of April and May were the most since a winning 15 games in May of 2003 ... Matt Winaker has reached base in 29 consecutive game, extending his career high and the longest streak for a Cardinal since Alex Blandino reached in 31 straight in 2014 ... Hock finished the season with a school record 16 saves ... Winaker played in the last 126 consecutive games ... Brodey started the last 122 games dating back to May 5, 2015 ... A lefty started the last 46 games for the Cardinal ... Stanford finished 39-0 when tied or leading after seven innings.

WHAT'S AHEAD
Stanford enters its first head coaching search in 41 years.

SOCIAL SCENE
For the latest updates, you can follow Cardinal baseball on instagram, twitter and snapchat (@StanfordBSB).

 


Thank You, Nine

A Tribute to Coach Marquess


Retired Number
» For the first time in program history, Stanford baseball retired a number. No one will wear No. 9 again.. The official announcment was made following Marquess' final home game on May 21—Stanford won that day with a walk off single in the 10th inning. 

Marquess Reaches 1,600
» Only five NCAA coaches have reached 1,600 career wins, only four have been Division I coaches, and only three have done it at one school. Coach Marquess is a member of each of those exclusive clubs after an 8-4 win over arch rival Cal at Sunken Diamond on April 4. Augie Garrido (1,975 wins at five schools), Mike Martin (1,938 wins and counting at Florida State), Gordie Gillespie (1,893 wins in Division III) and Gene Stephenson (1,768 wins at Wichita State) are the only coaches to reach the milestone.

  Nine Accolades  
    » Became fourth Division I head coach (fifth ever) to win 1,600 games (4/4/17 vs. Cal).
    » Coached 2,500th game at Cal on May 14—fifth ever to sign that many lineup cards.
    » Most wins in Pac-12 history, fourth-most wins in Division I history.
    » Two national championships (1987, 1988), 30 NCAA Tournament berths and 14 CWS.
    » Stanford finished .500 or better in 39 of his 41 seasons. 
    » Nine-time conference Coach of the Year, three-time national Coach of the Year.
    » Six 50-win campaigns, 21 years with 40 wins and 37 campaigns with 30 wins.
Other "9" Notables
    » All his student-athletes get at least one quarter ahead academically by their junior year.
    » Handwrites all his practice schedules.
    » Carries his signature briefcase to the dugout for each game.
    » Baseball student-athletes are responsible for Sunken Diamond groundskeeping.

Honoring 9
Colloquially known by his jersey number "9", here are some ways the University and team have honored Coach Marquess in his final season:
    » Served as football's honorary captain for the weekend and game against Rice (Nov. 26)
    » More than 100 alumni returned to Sunken Diamond for a pregame ceremony to honor Coach Marquess on Feb. 25.
    » A "9" flag was raised on Feb. 25 and will fly at Sunken Diamond all season. 
    » All season ticket prices end in 9, and Two for Tuesday ticket deals went to $9 (was $12).
    » May 9 had 1977 theme and ticket prices based on his first season as head coach.
    » Majority of first pitches this season were thrown by Marquess friends and family.
    » Concessions unveiled the Commemorative Coach Marquess cup, available all season.
    » Concessions featured several Coach Marquess combos for $9.99 all season.
    » Final season logo was created as well as #FinalSeas9n hashtag.
    » Bobblehead and trading card giveaway son May 20.
    » Framed jersey after his last home game, and giant "9" signed by players, co-workers, fans.
    » A video tribute can be seen at bit.ly/NineTributeVideo
    » Personal messages can be sent to Coach Marquess at this link: bit.ly/NineNote
 Several opposing teams also recognized Coach Marquess during Stanford road games.
    » Video tribute at Arizona State and lineup exchange with Athletics Director Ray Anderson, who played under Marquess while he was an assistant coach at Stanford.
    » Oregon's George Horton gifted a personalized bat signed by the Ducks coaching staff.
    » San Jose State gifted a framed Spartans No. 9 jersey.
    » Washington State gifted local signature wine and Cougar Gold Cheese.
    » Santa Clara presented a gift card to Omaha Stakes. 
    » Pregame recognition at Cal