Stanford baseball secures first win of the year over Cal State Fullerton

The Stanford Cardinal were able to bounce back and secure their first win of the season on Sunday against Cal State Fullerton

After dropping the first two games of the series and the year in general, Stanford was looking to prevent the clean sweep by the Cal State Fullerton Titans on Sunday.

Nick Dugan got the start for Stanford and had an extremely impressive outing. After allowing a solo shot by Coby Wallace in the second inning to go down 1-0, Dugan dialed in and held them scoreless the rest of the time he pitched. He ended up notching the win, throwing 5 1/3 innings allowing just one run, on five hits with no walks while striking out five batters. 

Unlike in the two games prior that saw Stanford's bats struggle, the Cardinal got some offensive firepower in the third game. Owen Cobb belted two triples and a double, knocking in Saborn Campbell on his second triple to tie the game at one. He also used his speed to score on a passed ball to give Stanford the 2-1 lead.

In terms of who came in on the mound for Stanford, they again turned to Duke transfer Kassius Thomas who has been shut down in his two appearances for the Cardinal. Despite inheriting a runner at first with an out in the sixth, Thomas was able to maneuver out of the inning. He then came back out for the seventh inning and shut down the Titans again. 

With Campbell coming back up in the seventh, he was able to get on to lead off the inning. This brought up Cort McDonald who was showing bunt to move Campbell over, but instead launched his first home run of his career.

Nick Dugan dealt. @Cobb2Owen had three extra-base hits. @Cortjett11 launched his first career homer.

It was a good Sunday on The Farm.

🗞️ » https://t.co/GCHnVrj38E#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/0vhqM9axVb

— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) February 19, 2024

Between Toran O'Harran who got out of a bases loaded jam, and freshman Aidan Keenan who got the save, Stanford would go on to silence Fullerton for the final couple of innings to secure the win.

The win marks Stanford's first on the year moving them to 1-2, while the Titans open up at a strong 2-1 record. Stanford will take the field again on Monday as they welcome UNLV (2-1) to town.