May 27, 2004
Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Stanford softball team fell to UCLA, 8-2, in their opening game at the 2004 Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Cardinal are now 47-18 overall while the Bruins improve to 44-9 on the year.
Stanford got on the board in the top of the first inning as lead-off hitter Jackie Rinehart got things started with a single up the middle. Catcher Jessica Allister doubled to rightfield, scoring Rinehart as the Cardinal went up, 1-0.
UCLA answered in the bottom of the first as Lisa Dodd singled through the right side, scoring Andrea Duran, to even up the game at one apiece.
First baseman Leah Nelson hit her sixth homerun of the season in the top of the fourth to give the Cardinal a 2-1 lead.
The Bruins countered with six runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the 7-2 lead.
UCLA would score again in the bottom of the sixth as Lisa Dodd doubled to score Andrea Duran.
Jackie Rinehart went 2-for-4 on the afternoon to extend her current hitting streak to seven games. Leah Nelson went 1-for-1 at the plate with a run scored, an RBI and two walks. Katherine Hoffman had a 1-for-2 day at the plate while Jessica Allister also chipped in a hit and RBI to the cause.
The Bruins were led by Caitlin Benyi and Lisa Dodd who each tallied three RBI on the day. Ashley Herrera had two RBI as well.
Keira Goerl (28-7) picked up the win in the circle, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts. Sophomore Laura Severson (13-8) took the loss for the Cardinal allowing seven runs on eight hits over four innings of work.
Stanford will now face Michigan at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 29 at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.