March 27, 2004
Stanford, Calif. - The 12th-ranked Stanford softball team scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to defeat Illinois, 5-0, this afternoon, at the Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium in the Stanford Classic. The Cardinal improve to 25-7 on the year while the Fighting Illini fall to 17-11-1.
Lindsay Key opened the sixth inning with a double to rightfield. Heather Shook then pinch ran for Key. Jackie Rinehart singled to advance Shook to third then Katherine Hoffman was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Catalina Morris grounded out to second baseman to score Shook. Lauren Lappin then roped a single to leftfield, bringing home Rinehart. Jessica Allister doubled, scoring Hoffman and Lappin. Jacki Hansen pinch ran for Allister. Meghan Sickler and Leah Nelson walked to load the bases. Michelle Thiry hit a sacrifice fly to score Hansen and give the Cardinal the 5-0 cushion.
Dana Sorensen (14-4) picked up the win in the circle for Stanford, going the distance while scattering five hits over seven innings with 12 strikeouts. Amanda Fortune took the loss for Illinois, allowing five runs on seven hits over seven innings of work.
Jackie Rinehart and Catalina Morris eached collected two hits to lead the Cardinal at the plate. Jessica Allister picked up two RBI in a 1-for-3 effort.
The Fighting Illini were led by LeeAnn Butcher's 2-for-3 afternoon at the plate.
Stanford is 3-0 in the Stanford Classic and plays BYU later this afternoon.