Stanford coach David Esquer waiting for 'big hit' vs. Wake Forest in College World Series

Stanford and Wake Forest are underway in a highly anticipated first game at the 2023 College World Series, with two aces on the mound delivering their best stuff early on.

Despite the stuff Demon Deacons ace Rhett Lowder brings to the mound, the Cardinal have done a nice job punching across two runs to lead 2-1 going to the top of the sixth inning.

And Stanford coach David Esquer knows it could be an even bigger lead.

“I like that we put runners in scoring position often, we just haven’t got that big hit yet,” he said during an in-game interview with ESPN on the television broadcast. “We’ve had a couple chances, a couple body blows if we could get to them, get a hit there. But just staying consistent and constant, like just trying to keep pushing forward and the relentlessness will help us.”

Stanford drew first blood right away in the top of the first inning at the College World Series.

After a pair of early singles and a strikeout, Lowder issued a walk to load the bases. He struck out a second batter to get to two outs, but he couldn’t completely get out of the jam.

Lowder plunked Stanford catcher Malcolm Moore to walk in a run, making it 1-0 Stanford.

The Cardinal plated another run in the top of the third inning after a pair of singles sandwiched a balk, with the second single to right center field by first baseman Carter Graham plating a run.

Meanwhile, Stanford pitcher Joey Dixon had a positive start in the College World Series, giving the Cardinal four solid innings of work. He allowed just one run on three hits, while striking out four and walking three.

Esquer was pleased with the start.

“Well he moved the ball around for a variety of pitches, hasn’t had to double up that often,” Esquer said. “Made one mistake in the middle of the plate and they can get you with one pitch if you don’t throw it in the right spot.”

That one mistake resulted in a solo home run by Wake Forest slugger Brock Wilken, a dinger to left field.

At the time of this writing Stanford led Wake Forest 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning at the College World Series.