May 2, 2008
Eugene, Ore. - The No. 8/8 Cardinal softball team shelled Oregon with 11 hits today at Howe Field in Eugene, scoring six late runs to complete a series sweep of the Ducks. Junior pitcher Missy Penna threw her 12th shutout of the year and fanned ten as Stanford claimed its 43rd win of 2008, 6-0.
The Cardinal improves to 43-10 overall and evens its record at 8-8 in the Pac-10. Oregon falls to 31-23 overall and 3-12 in conference play.
Stanford's 11 hits marked the team's second-best offensive performance in Pac-10 play and its ninth game of the year registering double-digit hits. The Cardinal had some help from the Duck defense as well, however, scoring three unearned runs on five Oregon errors.
Senior third baseman Michelle Smith went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a double, while sophomore second baseman Shannon Koplitz recorded the first three-hit game of her career. Senior designated player Erin Howe had two hits and reached on three of her four plate appearances, and Stanford outhit an opponent for the 40th time this season, 11-5. The shutout was the 20th for the Cardinal this year.
Penna's ten strikeouts marked her 16th double-figure strikeout game of the season, and brought her within 21 K's of Dana Sorensen's single-season record (358). Penna is now 31-9 on the year, and has pitched 11 consecutive complete games in conference play.
Oregon's five hits came off the bat of five different players. Melissa Rice took the loss for the Ducks in the circle and falls to 11-10.
Oregon's second of five errors allowed Stanford to begin its late scoring run in the fifth inning. Consecutive two-out singles through the left side by Howe and Rosey Neill put two runners on for Maddy Coon. The Cardinal shortstop tapped a ball through the legs of the Duck second baseman, and pinch runner Michelle Schroeder scored on the play.
In the next inning, Oregon's third error allowed another unearned run to score. Smith cracked her first of two hits in the game, and reached second on a wild pitch. A sacrifice hit by Anna Beardman moved Smith to second, and the Cardinal third baseman scored on a dropped ball at first base.
In the seventh, the Cardinal broke the game open, scoring four runs on four hits and two more errors. Rice issued a one-out walk to Neill and Coon followed with a double to put runners at second and third. With two outs, Smith stepped up with her second clutch hit of the game, launching a two-RBI double over the head of Oregon left fielder Sari-Jane Jenkins. Koplitz followed with an infield single, and Smith scored on a throwing error when the Oregon infield tried to make the play at first. Koplitz scored on an ensuing single by freshman pinch hitter Brittany Minder.
Stanford swings up to Corvallis looking to clinch the series with the Oregon State Beavers at 3 p.m. tomorrow. The Cardinal will meet the Beavers again on Sunday at noon to conclude the series.