March 9, 2001
TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 5 Stanford softball team lost a tough 4-2 game to Boston University in the third game of the Speedline Invitational, hosted by the University of South Florida at Greco Complex on Friday. The loss drops the Cardinal to 23-2-1 while the Terriers improve to 6-5.
Stanford had a 2-0 lead at the end of the fifth inning before Boston University scored three runs in the sixth. The inning started with a single and a double, and then the Terriers used three consecutive sacrifice bunts to take a 3-2 lead. The first bunt was overthrown by Stanford pitcher Maureen LeCocq, which allowed the first Boston University run to score. Two more sac bunts gave the Terriers the lead and they would add an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a throwing error by catcher Michelle Thiry.
Boston University relief pitcher Robyn King gave up just one hit in the final 2 2/3 innings. She struck out five and earned the win.
The loss was LeCocq's first of the season as her record drops to 8-1. She gave up four runs on four hits while striking out a season-high nine batters and walking one.
The Cardinal jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning after consecutive singles from Jessica Mendoza and Sarah Beeson. Stanford wouldn't score again until the fifth inning. Robin Walker led off the inning with a walk and Beeson advanced her with a single. Then Kira Ching continued her hot hitting with an RBI double to the right center field gap, scoring Walker for a 2-0 lead.
The Terriers had four hits in the game to Stanford's eight. The Cardinal also left eight runners on base to the Terrier's two. Beeson went 3-for-4 while Brangham was 2-for-3.
Stanford continues pool play of the Speedline Invitational today at 4:00 p.m. (EST) against the host, University of South Florida.
Score by Innings1234567R H E Boston University00000314 4 1 #5 Stanford10001002 8 2 WP - Robyn King (1-0) and Leslie Linnemeyer. LP - Maureen LeCocq (8-1) and Michelle Thiry. Save - None. 2B - Cassi Brangham (STAN), Kira Ching (STAN), Leslie Linnemeyer (BU). 3B - None. HR - None. E - Kristin Knesek (BU), Maureen LeCocq (STAN), Michelle Thiry (STAN). LOB - Boston University 2, Stanford 8. Records: Boston University 6-5, Stanford 23-2-1.