April 17, 2004
Stanford, Calif. - Senior catcher Jessica Allister went 3-for-4 with two RBI as the ninth-ranked Stanford softball team shut out Arizona State, 7-0, this afternoon at the Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal improve to 33-11 on the year, 4-4 in Pac-10 action while the Sun Devils fall to 30-20, 0-5 in league play.
Stanford got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning as Allister led off the a homerun. Leah Nelson then walked and was pinch run for by Shoney Hixson. Meghan Sickler hit into a fielder's choice as Hixson was retired at second. Elizabeth Bendig then singled. With two outs, Jackie Rinehart drew a walk to load the bases. Pinch hitter Michelle Thiry singled to score Sickler and Bendig. Rinehart scored on an error by the catcher to wrap up the scoring for the Cardinal.
Lauren Lappin led off the third inning with a triple to right centerfield. Allister doubled down the rightfield line to bring home Lappin. Nelson then hit a two-run homerun for the Cardinal.
Senior Dana Sorensen (20-6) picked up the win in the circle for Stanford, scattering four hits over 5.1 innings with four strikeouts. Sorensen lef the game in the sixth inning after being struck with a line drive in the leg. Laura Severson came in to shutout Arizona State, pitching 1.2 hitless innings. ASU's Desiree Serrano took the loss for the Sun Devils, allowing seven runs on nine hits over six innings.
Leah Nelson had a 1-for-2 day at the plate with two RBI and two walks while Michelle Thiry went 1-for-1 with two RBI. Katherine Hoffman also went 1-for-1 with two walks.
The two teams met again tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Smith Family Stadium in a conference match up.