May 10, 2007
Stanford, Calif. - Twelve hits proved not enough as the Cardinal softball team dropped a 5-4 contest to the Oregon Ducks tonight atSmith Family Stadium. The rubber game went into extra innings, but the Ducks were able to put the game-winning runacross in the eighth to pick up their 41st win of the season. Stanford falls to 33-17-1 overall and 7-11-1 in Pac-10play, while the Ducks improve to 41-16, 6-13 Pac-10.
A single by Sari-Jane Jenkins in the top of the first inning started the offense for the Ducks. The Oregoncenter fielder stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, before a wild pitch allowed her to score.
Stanford answered with three-straight hits to lead off the bottom of the first, however, loading the bases forMichelle Smith. Smith drew a five-pitch walk, forcing in Jackie Rinehart and quickly erasing the Oregon lead.With basesloaded and no outs, Maddy Coon grounded to second, where Smith was tagged for the first out. Tricia Aggabaoscored on the play, and Alissa Haber came around on an overthrow when the Ducks tried to make the double play.
Stanford's 3-1 lead was short-lived, however, as the Ducks evened the score in the top of the second. LovenaChaput drew a two-out walk to start the rally, and scored on a double to right center by Amie Morris. An infieldhit by Suzie Barnes moved Morris to third, and the Duck catcher scored on a Cardinal overthrow.
Stanford pulled back ahead in its half of the second, however, after Rinehart started a two-out rally with hersecond hit of the game. Rinehart quickly stole second, before Aggabao drilled a hit up the middle to bring heraround.
Oregon tied the game at four in the fifth inning. Jenkins walked to start the inning, stole second and moved tothird on an infield ground out. Ann Marie Topps chopped a grounder to Missy Penna on the squeeze play, but thethrow was not in time to get Jenkins at the plate.
The Ducks scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth, using three hits to bring the crucial run in.Neena Bryant singled to lead of the inning, and was bunted to second by Joanna Gail. The right fielder moved tothird on a single by Kristi Leiter and scored on Chaput's game-winning double.
Despite the loss, the Cardinal bats were on fire with the team's third-highest hit total of the season.Stanford left seven runners on, six of which were in scoring position. In the bottom of the eighth, the Cardinalput runners at the corners with one out, but the Ducks turned their third double play of the game to seal the win.The 12 hits marked the third-straight game that the Cardinal has cracked 10 or more hits, and marked the team's14th 10+ hit game of the season. The loss was just the second this year for the Cardinal when out-hittingan opponent.
Jackie Rinehart and Tricia Aggabao led the team with 3-for-4 performances. Rinehart scored two runs and picked uptwo stolen bases, while Shannon Koplitz ripped two consecutive doubles, her seventh and eighth on the year.
Stanford returns to the field tomorrow night, meeting the Oregon State Beavers at 7 p.m. at Smith Family Stadium.