May 22, 2004
Stanford, Calif. - First baseman Leah Nelson hit her fourth homerun of the season and notched three RBI as the Stanford softball team defeated Hofstra, 7-1, this afternoon at Smith Family Stadium to advance to the championship game of the Stanford NCAA Regional. The Cardinal improve to 46-16 on the year.
Jackie Rinehart opened the first inning with a walk to get things started for Stanford. Catalina Morris reached on a fielder's choice then stole second. Lauren Lappin then singled to left, scoring Morris. Lappin advanced to second on the throw home. Jessica Allister singled to put runners on the corners. Shoney Hixson pinch ran for Allister and stole second. With two outs on the board, Elizabeth Bendig hit a long single, scoring both Lappin and Hixson to put the Cardinal up 3-0.
The Pride got one run back in the top of the second as Hailey Clark homered to centerfield.
In the bottom of the fourth, Bendig opened the inning with a single. Megan Bordelon entered the game as a pinch runner. Bordelon moved up to second on a passed ball then scored on a single by Meghan Sickler.
Lappin opened the fifth inning with a single to centerfield. Allister followed with a single to left. Leah Nelson then hit a towering three-run homer to centerfield to clear the bases and put Stanford up, 7-1.
Senior hurler Dana Sorensen (31-9) picked up the win in the circle, scattering two hits over five innings with nine strikeouts and one run scored. Amy Belonick (1-2) took the loss for Hofstra, allowing four runs on eight hits in four innings of work. Cardinal Laura Severson pitched two shutout innings for Stanford in relief.
Elizabeth Bendig had a 2-for-3 day at the plate with two RBI while Lauren Lappin also collected two hits with two runs scored and an RBI. Jessica Allister also went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Lead off hitter Jackie Rinehart collected two hits as well.
Hofstra was led by Hailey Clark who went 1-for-3 on the afternoon with a solo homerun. Ashley Lane went 1-for-2 for The Pride.
Hofstra will play the winner of the Southern Illinois/Pacific game tonight at 7 p.m. in an elimination game. The Cardinal will play in the championship game of the NCAA Regional on Sunday at 1 p.m.