March 24, 2004
Stanford, Calif. - Sophomore shortstop Lauren Lappin collected four hits and three RBI as the 12th-ranked Stanford softball team defeated 17th-ranked Fresno State, 7-0, this evening, in the second game of a doubleheader at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal improve to 22-7 overall while the Bulldogs fall to 25-12.
Stanford jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Katherine Hoffman walked then stole second before Catalina Morris tripled to right centerfield, scoring Hoffman. Lauren Lappin singled through the right side, bringing home Morris.
The Cardinal picked up a third run in the third inning, as Morris led off the inning and was hit by a pitch. Lappin then tripled to right centerfield as Morris scored.
In the fourth inning, Jackie Rinehart reached on an error by the second baseman and advanced to second on a single by Hoffman. Morris then singled to rightfield but and error by the rightfielder brought home both Rinehart and Hoffman. Lappin then doubled, scoring Morris.
Stanford would score one more run in the fifth inning as Leah Nelson led off with a double to left centerfield. Jacki Hansen entered the game as a pinch runner for Nelson. Hansen advanced to third on a groundout and scored on an RBI single by Lindsay Key.
Sophomore Laura Severson notched her eighth win of the season, pitching 5.1 strong innings, scattering three hits with four strikeouts. Freshman hurler Danika Dukes came in relief to preserve the shutout, going 1.2 hitless innings with a strikeout.
Laura Ferreira took the loss for Fresno State, giving up three runs on seven hits in four innings of work.
Catalina Morris added two hits on three at bats with three runs scored and two RBI. Lindsay Key also added two hits and an RBI to the Cardinal effort. Katherine Hoffman and Leah Nelson each went 1-for-2 at the plate for Stanford.
The Cardinal are back in action on Friday, hosting the Stanford Classic at the Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium. Stanford will face Hawaii at 4 p.m.