FULLERTON, Calif. --- Stanford scored five runs in the final three frames to cap what ended up being seven straight unanswered runs, as it rallied to defeat No. 8 Cal State Fullerton, 7-6 in 11 innings, Sunday afternoon at Goodwin Field.
Titan closer Scott Hurst entered the game in the ninth with a 6-4 lead, looking to earn his first collegiate save, but Stanford's Brodey Quinn came up with his biggest hit of the series, smacking a two-out double to left center to score Branton Beau and Duke Kinamon, who doubled and reached on a fielding error respectively.
Kinamon not only was the tying run, but ended up being the winning run as well. Matt Winaker doubled home Kinamon, after he singled to lead off the 11th inning to put the Cardinal up by the winning final of 7-6.
For the Titans (2-1), Hurst led the way offensively, notching a game-high and career-high tying four hits, while driving in a pair. Hurst is batting a team-best .462 this season, after going 6-of-13 in the series.
Dillon Persinger also chipped in with two knocks, a pair of RBI and two runs scored. Ruben Cardenas also recorded two RBI, aiding the Titans to their first double-digit hit performance of the year.
For the third time in as many games. Fullerton struck first, thanks to a two-out rally in the third frame. Persinger got things going with a single up the middle, followed by a Hurst double to left center to score the first run of the game. Timmy Richards drew a walk before Cardenas scorched one into the left field corner to bring home two more scores for the Titans.
With Fullerton already leading 3-0, the Titans refused to let up, as Persinger and Hurst strung together back-to-back doubles for Fullerton, extending the lead to 6-0.
After throwing 30 pitching in relief in Thursday night's opener, Colton Eastman (0-0, 1.29 ERA) responded with a solid first start for the Titans on Sunday. Eastman surrendered just one earned run, struck out four and scattered four hits in five innings of work.
However, Stanford proved why it'll be one of the best teams in college baseball this year, as it scratched across seven runs over the final seven frames to claim the come-from-behind win.
Fullerton will get back to work on Tuesday when it welcomes the NC Dinos to Goodwin Field for an exhibition affair at 6 pm PT.
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