Feb. 23, 2001
COLUMBUS, Georgia - Sarah Beeson and Jessica Mendoza hit solo home runs to lead the No. 9 Stanford softball team to a 2-0 win over No. 6 LSU in the second game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Friday evening at South Commons Complex. The Cardinal improves its record to 14-1, while the Tigers fall to 12-2.
Beeson led off the second inning with a home run to left center field. It was her second homer of the day as she hit one of four home runs in a 4-0 win over UIC in Stanford's first game of the day. Mendoza followed Beeson's lead by starting off the fourth inning with a home run to right center. For Mendoza, it was her third homer of the day.
Sophomore pitcher Dana Sorensen retired the first 15 Tigers before allowing an infield base hit in the sixth. She struck out 12, giving her at least 10 strikeouts in six of seven games. She ran into a little trouble in the top of the seventh as the Tigers put runners on first and second with no outs. But Sorensen stormed back to strike out the side, improving her record 6-1. LSU's Britni Sneed had a season-high 13 strikeouts, the most for an opposing pitcher this year, while her record drops to 6-2.
Stanford had seven hits in the two games on Friday - six home runs and one double. All six homers were solo shots. In the first game, all four shots came with two outs, and in the second game, both were leadoff homers.
The Cardinal plays its third and final pool game against Seton Hall on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (EST). Tournament play begins Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. (EST).
Score by Innings1234567R H E #6 LSU 00000000 2 1 #9 Stanford010100X2 2 0
WP - Dana Sorensen (6-1). LP - Britni Sneed (6-2). Save - None. 2B - None. 3B - None. HR - Sarah Beeson (STAN), Jessica Mendoza (STAN). E - Stephanie Hastings (LSU). LOB - LSU 3, Stanford 4. Records: LSU 12-2, Stanford 14-1.