WRIGHT STATE TRIES TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER LOSS IN REGIONAL

Wright State comes back from deficit but fades in opener.

STANFORD, CALIF. — Christian Robinson doubled to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning Friday evening, lifting Stanford to a 4-3 win over Wright State in the first round of the Stanford Regional at Sunken Diamond.

Robinson’s chopper seemed playable but went past first baseman Gabe Snyder into the right-field corner. Andrew Daschbach scored from first base in a heartbreaking loss for the Raiders (39-16), who fought back from a 3-1 deficit and pushed the third-ranked team in the country to the edge.

It was the longest playoff game in Raiders history. The Cardinal (45-10) advanced to Saturday’s winner’s bracket to face Cal State Fullerton, a 6-2 winner over Baylor earlier Friday. Wright State faced the Bears in an elimination game Saturday night.

“He’s one of the best defensive first basemen,” Wright State coach Jeff Mercer said of Snyder. “It just took a weird spin on him.”

Said Robinson, “Honestly, coming out of the box, I thought it was an out. And it just happened to get under his glove.”

Stanford coach David Esquer called the game “playoff baseball at its best.”

The Raiders got two runners on in the 10th and 12th innings but failed to score.

“What you saw today in a glimpse is what we’ve seen from these guys for months and years,” Mercer said. “They’re tough and they extend and they extend every pitch.”

Wright State tied the score in the seventh. With one out, Bentley Jones walked and Zach Weatherford followed with a single. That chased Stanford starter Tristan Beck. With the game on the line, Esquer called on closer Jack Little.

He got leadoff hitter Matt Morrow on a flyout but then J.D. Orr singled in a run. Then, in a surprising three-pitch sequence, Little sent two pitches past catcher Christian Molfetta.

One was scored a passed ball, the other a wild pitch and the Raiders had tied the score.