Stanford’s 1-0 win puts Cal State Fullerton on brink

Usually, when the bottom of the ninth inning at Goodwin Field is unnecessary, Cal State Fullerton fans leave pleased. Not Saturday night.

A coin flip before the game made the Titans the road team, and the road turned bumpy after a 1-0 loss to Stanford in the NCAA regional.

The pitchers’ duel came down to one swing of the bat — a sixth-inning home run from Stanford third baseman Stephen Piscotty.

The Titans play Illinois on Sunday at 4 p.m. in an elimination game, with the winner facing Stanford at 8.

Fullerton pitcher Noe Ramirez kept the Titans in the contest. He struck out 12, giving up four hits, two walks and two hit batters.

Fullerton’s best chance at scoring came in the top of the fifth. First baseman Nick Ramirez led off with a single up the middle. Two batters and two outs later, second baseman Greg Velazquez sent a fly ball into shallow left field near the foul line. Stanford left fielder Tyler Gaffney made a diving grab of the ball, which replays showed might have been a trap.

Cardinal pitcher Jordan Pries lasted 7 2/3 innings, facing two batters over the minimum. The Titans’ Carlos Lopez slapped a single past the Stanford infield in the eighth inning before Pries struck out one more batter and then handed his one-run lead over to left-hander Chris Reed. Pinch-hitter Anthony Trajano grounded out to end the threat.

Casey Watkins walked to lead off the ninth, but he was picked off by Reed trying to steal second.

Illinois 5, Kansas State 3: Illinois pitcher John Anderson goes into every start with the same goal of throwing a complete game. Though he did not quite do so Saturday, Anderson’s eight-plus innings led the way to the victory that eliminated the Wildcats.

“I always go out there with the mentality that I’m going to finish the game. So today, it was no different,” said Anderson, who threw 110 pitches. “I went out there in the ninth and gave up that first hit, though.”

After that hit, Illinois Coach Dan Hartleb turned to reliever Chris Pack. Two ground balls later and the Illini had earned another elimination game Sunday.

“Well, we’re still alive, so that’s the best part of the day,” Hartleb said. “Anderson did such a great job for us.”

Illinois cashed in on five hits, a walk and a hit batter between the third and fourth innings for its five runs. Shortstop Josh Parr led the way with a double and a triple, knocking in three runs.

douglas.farmer@latimes.com