March 29, 2003
Stanford, Calif. - Coming off a defeat to top-ranked ULCA last night, things did not get any easier as the 12th-ranked Stanford softball team suffered a 6-0 loss to No. 2 Washington on Saturday night at Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal falls to 25-11 and 0-2 in the Pac-10, while the Huskies improve to 32-3-1 and 1-1 in the conference.
Both teams threatened in the first inning with runners on scoring position, but could not push a run across. Leah Nelson (Oakland, CA) doubled to right center in the second for Stanford's first hit of the game. Meghan Sickler (Houston, TX) walked to put runners on first and second, but Washington starter Ashley Boak fanned Catalina Morris (Sonoita, AZ) to end the inning.
The Huskies got three runs in the third, led by Dena Tyson's single that plated two runs. Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, CA) and Cassi Brangham (Clovis, CA) recorded back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the inning, while Kira Ching (San Lorenzo, CA) reached on an error to load the bases. The Cardinal could not score a run, with Jessica Allister (Nacogdoches, TX) grounding into a double play and Elizabeth Bendig (Santa Ana, CA) striking out for the third out.
Washington added two more insurance runs in the sixth on Kristen Rivera's bases-clearing double to make it 6-0 Huskies.
Laura Severson (Frankfort, IL) pitched the final inning for Stanford starter Tori Nyberg (Belmont, CA). With the bases loaded, Severson caught Jaime Clark looking on the third strike.
Boak got the win for Washington, improving to 14-1. Nyberg took her fifth loss of the season, striking out four, to stand at 12-5.
Lappin finished with two of the Cardinal's four hits, to led Stanford offensively.
Both teams will square off tomorrow at 1 p.m. as Stanford will host its Third Annual Strikeout Cancer to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
No. 2 Washington003 003 06-8-3 No. 12 Stanford000 000 00-4-2 WP: Ashley Boed (14-1) LP: Tori Nyberg (12-5) 2B: Kristen Rivera (WASH), Leah Nelson (STAN) Records: Washington (32-3-1, 1-1), Stanford (25-11, 0-2)