The Cardinal Channel chats with Stanford coach Mark Marquess on the eve of the Cardinal's NCAA Regional opener against Fresno State. Marquess won't alter his pitching rotation, which means Mark Appel will get the starting nod.
Speaking of Appel, Jon Wilner writes that the potential No. 1 pick in next year's MLB Draft isn't looking past his first pitch against the Bulldogs. Tom FitzGerald writes that Appel's batterymate, Chris Smith, has shined in his first season behind the plate.
Sophomore lefty Tyler Linehan, who has been sidelined for two weeks with a strained muscle in his back, will get the start for Fresno State. Linehan threw a season-high 140 pitches on May 11 and was removed from his next start after only four pitches. He allowed two earned runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings and took a no-decision in Fresno State's 7-4 win over Stanford on March 2.
The first pitch from Sunken Diamond is scheduled for 6 pm.