STANFORD, Calif. – Christian Robinson's walk-off double in the 13th inning captured a 4-3 win for the Cardinal in the opening round of NCAA Regional action on Friday night at Sunken Diamond.
"That right there was what playoff baseball is all about," said Clarke and Elizabeth Nelson Director of Baseball David Esquer, who was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year on Thursday. "I tip my cap to Wright State – they played a heck of a ballgame and really made it difficult on us. A lot of credit has to go to our bullpen for keeping a tough lineup off the scoresheet through all those extra innings."
With Andrew Daschbach standing on first and two out, Robinson roped a double down the right-field line to drive home the game-winning run in the home half of the 13th inning. Brendan Beck (7-0) earned the win in relief, with Jack Little and Jacob Palisch combining for 5.2 shutout innings in relief of Tristan Beck. Tim Tawa led Stanford with three hits, including two doubles, and Wilson, Andrew Daschbach and Nico Hoerner each had two hits.
WALK US OFF CHRISTIAN ROBINSON!!!!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/mOt1WOhnaW
— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) June 2, 2018
Matt Morrow led off the game with a solo home run, launching Tristan Beck's second pitch of the evening beyond the wall in right field. The Cardinal responded with two runs in the home half to take the lead. Nico Hoerner drove in Tim Tawa with a liner to left that was mishandled before scoring on a wild pitch with Andrew Daschbach at the plate. Stanford doubled its lead in the fifth when Tim Tawa singled home Alec Wilson, who led off the inning with a double off the left-field wall.
Tristan Beck settled in after the first, putting up five straight zeroes and finishing 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts while scattering five hits on 90 pitches. Beck took a no decision on the night after Jack Little's first career blown save – a wild pitch and a passed ball allowed the Raiders to tie the game at three after an RBI single from J.D. Orr in the seventh inning.
Little tied a career high with 3.1 innings, departing for Jacob Palisch after surrendering one hit and one walk while striking out two. Palisch struck out Alex Alders on three pitches to escape a two-on and two-out jam.
After Stanford stranded a pair in the home half, Palisch returned to retire the side in order in the top of the 11th. After a 1-2-3 bottom half, Palisch escaped another jam in the top of the 12th, inducing a fly out to left with two runners on base. Brendan Beck took over in the 13th, retiring the side on 14 pitches to set up Robinson's walk-off.
"That win was incredibly huge for us, not having to come back and play the early game tomorrow," added Esquer. "Our guys have been grinding out wins all year long, and this is just another one for us."
Stanford returns to action tomorrow against Cal State Fullerton in the winner's bracket at 8 p.m. PT on ESPN3. Baylor and Wright State will face off in an elimination game at 3 p.m., also on ESPN3. Live streaming and statistics for all games are available at Stanford's Regional Central page.