Stanford secured a 6-5 walk-off win against Fresno State in the opening game of their three-game series at Sunken Diamond on Friday. The decisive moment came in the bottom of the ninth inning when freshman Brock Sell hit a triple off the wall, allowing pinch runner Philip Cheong to score from first base.
With one out in the ninth, Teddy Tokheim reached base and was replaced by Cheong. After another out, Sell connected with the first pitch he saw, sending it deep enough for Cheong to sprint home and beat the relay throw.
Senior pitcher Nick Dugan started for Stanford but did not factor into the decision after pitching six innings and giving up four runs on eight hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Senior Trevor Moore took over for 2 2/3 innings, surrendering the tying run in the seventh while striking out three batters. Freshman Colt Peterson entered with two outs in the top of the ninth and a runner on first. He walked his first batter but managed to end the inning without further damage, setting up Stanford’s final at-bat.
Stanford’s offense included home runs from senior Jimmy Nati and sophomore JJ Moran. Nati hit a two-run homer in the third inning—his first of the season—and finished with three RBIs after also driving in a run with a single in the first. Moran tied the game again with his second home run of the year leading off the fifth inning.
Fresno State reliever Doug Crystal took the loss after allowing Stanford’s winning run during his 1 2/3 innings pitched, bringing his record to 1-1. Peterson earned his first win of the season for Stanford.
Defensive mistakes played a role as Fresno State committed three errors that led to three unearned runs for Stanford.
The series continues Saturday with a scheduled start time of 2:05 p.m.
