Stanford baseball topples Cal State Fullerton, 12-5

Randy Molina had two hits, including his first collegiate home run, and drove in five runs as the Stanford baseball team defeated visiting Cal State Fullerton, 12-5, in a nonconference game on Friday night in Sunken Diamond.

Jeff Whitlow had two hits and drove in two runs and Jeremy Bleich won his second game in as many starts.

“I was up there with two strikes and I knew he would come back with that curve,” Molina said of his home run. “I sat on it and put a good swing on it. I was really just trying to lift the ball to the outfield to score the runner from third but it carried well. My swing has been pretty good lately. Hopefully I can pop a few more.”

The Cardinal (4-2) scored nine runs in the first two innings, more than enough for Bleich, who threw 6 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs. Austin Yount finished with 2 2/3 shutout innings.

“Jeremy’s off-speed stuff is ridiculous,” Molina said. “When he has his command he’s pretty much unhittable. Hopefully this shows what kind of year he’s going to have.”

Stanford beat the Titans for the seventh game in a row at Sunken Diamond.

“We just need to build on this win,” Molina said. “With our pitching staff, I feel like if we can score some runs, they can shut down the opposition.”

Stanford now has won 16 of the past 17 meetings between the teams played at Stanford and snapped a three-game losing streak against the Titans (3-2) overall as Cal State Fullerton had swept the Cardinal in a three-game set in Fullerton a year ago.

Stanford and Cal State Fullerton continue their current series on Saturday and Sunday with start times each day scheduled for 1 p.m. Stanford is scheduled to go with RHP Erik Davis (0-1, 23.62) on the mound Saturday, while the Titans are slated to counter with RHP Cory Abriso (0-1, 1.50).

Earlier in the week:

Stanford managed two more games earlier in the week as it tries — along with the rest of the country — to squeeze in its full complement of games in less time.

The Cardinal lost to visiting St. Mary’s, 4-2, in a quickly scheduled game on Monday night and then came back to beat visiting Nevada, 4-3, on Tuesday night.

Palo Alto High grad David Stringer pitched four shutout innings of relief to earn his second save against the Wolf Pack. He also saved Sunday’s game against Nebraska.

Max Fearnow pitched the first five innings to earn the victory.

Stanford scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead. Cord Phelps, who had a career-high four hits in the game, singled to start the rally and Brendan Domaracki walked. Sean Ratliff followed with a run scoring single and Jason Castro hit a sacrifice fly to plate the game winner.

Ratliff, Brent Milleville and Jake Schlander each had two hits.