March 10, 2001
TAMPA, Fla. - Jessica Mendoza homered and Maureen LeCocq pitched a two-hit shutout as the No. 5 Stanford softball team defeated Florida Atlantic 2-0 in the Speedline Invitational, hosted by the University of South Florida, at Greco Complex. Stanford improved to 26-2-1 while Florida Atlantic dropped to 20-8.
This was the first game of the championship bracket for Stanford, which won its pool to earn a bye in the first round of bracket play. The Cardinal advances to the semifinals on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. (EST) against Wisconsin.
The game was a pitcher's dual between Stanford's LeCocq and FAU's Nikki Myers. LeCocq allowed just two hits while Myers struck out nine Cardinal. LeCocq had a career-high 10 strikeouts and walked none. She earned her third shutout of the year and improves her record to 9-1.
Mendoza broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the fifth with her third home run of the tournament. She reached base on her two previous at-bats on a single and an intentional walk. Her third time to the plate came with two outs and nobody on, and Mendoza's shot easily cleared the right centerfield fence.
In the sixth, the Cardinal picked up an insurance run, thanks to a pair of base hits from Jessica Allister and Jenni Shideler. Allister doubled to right and Shideler drove her in with a single up the middle.
Mendoza and Allister both had 2-for-3 performances at the plate and each scored a run. Shideler and Cassi Brangham had a single apiece.
Score by Innings1234567R H E Florida Atlantic00000000 2 0 #5 Stanford000011x2 6 2 WP - Maureen LeCocq (9-1) to Jessica Allister. LP - Nikki Myers (NA) to Callie Piper. Save - None. 2B - Jessica Allister (STAN). 3B - None. HR - Jessica Mendoza (STAN). E - Jenni Shideler (STAN), Robin Walker (STAN). LOB - Florida Atlantic 4, Stanford 6. Records: Florida Atlantic 20-8, Stanford 26-2-1.