Feb. 6, 2004
Stanford, Calif. - Freshman leftfielder Jackie Rinehart went two-for-three at the plate as the No. 12 Stanford women's softball team opened the 2004 season with a 4-1 win over No. 6 Alabama at the Stanford Tournament this afternoon in the Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium.
With one out in the bottom of the third, centerfielder Catalina Morris walked then stole second. A wild pitch by Alabama's Stephanie VanBrakle on the third strike to Jessica Allister got Morris to third and the throw to first brought Morris home.
Stanford scored three runs in the bottom of the third as Rinehart led off the inning with an infield single. Morris tripled to leftfield to bring home Rinehart. Morris scored on a single by shortstop Lauren Lappin who then stole second. Meghan Sickler singled through the leftside to score Lappin and open up a 4-0 lead for the Cardinal.
Senior Dana Sorensen pitched six strong innings, scattering three hits with seven strikeouts on the afternoon. Freshman Danika Dukes closed out the game for Stanford, giving up a hit and a run in the top of the seventh.
Catalina Morris scored two runs and went 1-for-3 at the plate for the Cardinal while teammate Lauren Lappin added a run and an RBI to the effort.
Alabama was led by Angela Johnson's 1-for-2 day at the plate. Capper Reed recorded the Crimson Tide's lone RBI. Pitcher Stephanie Vanbrakle gave up eight hits over six innings with four earned runs and nine strikeouts.
Stanford will face the Crimson Tide tomorrow at Noon then take on San Jose State at 2 p.m. on the second day of competition at the Stanford Tournament. Alabama will face San Jose State at 10 a.m. as well.