May 29, 2004
Oklahoma City, Okla. - Junior Meghan Sickler knocked in the winning run in the top of the seventh as the Stanford softball team defeated Michigan, 5-4, in an elimination game at the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Cardinal improve to 48-18 on the season while the Wolverines end the year at 54-13.
Stanford got on the board first in the top of the second inning as Jessica Allister hit her 12th homerun of the season - a solo shot to centerfield. Leah Nelson then singled up the middle. Jacki Hansen pinch ran for Nelson and advanced to third on a double by Meghan Sickler. Heather Shook walked to load the bases. Jackie Rinehart walked to bring home Hansen.
Michigan answered in the bottom of the second as Jennifer Olds hit a two-run homer to leftfield and tied the game at 2-2.
The Wolverines went ahead in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Monica Schock.
The Cardinal came back to score two runs in the top of the fifth. Catalina Morris opened the inning with a walk then Lauren Lappin hit an infield single. Morris advanced to third on a fly out by Allister. Nelson singled to left, scoring Morris as Lappin advanced to third. Lappin scored on a ground out by Elizabeth Bendig.
Michigan tied up the game in the bottom of the sixth on a ground out by Grace Luetele, scoring Tiffany Haas.
Lappin opened the seventh with a single through the right side, followed by a single through the left side by Allister. Hixson pinch ran for Allister. Nelson hit an infield single, however, Lappin was out on the play due to interference. Bendig singled up the middle to load the bases. Meghan Sickler then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Hixson.
Dana Sorensen (33-10) picked up the win for Stanford, allowing four runs (three earned)on four hits over seven innings of work with two strikeouts. Nicole Motycka (22-5) took the loss for Michigan in relief, allowing three runs on eight hits over five innings.
Both Lauren Lappin and Leah Nelson collected three hits on the afternoon while Jessica Allister had a 2-for-4 day at the plate.
Nelson extended her hitting streak to a season-high nine games.
Stanford will now face Oklahoma tonight at 5:30 p.m. CT in an elimination game at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.