Feb. 27, 2009
Fullerton, Calif. - The Stanford softball team (14-1) used seven hits, including three triples, to extend its winning streak to 13 games today at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton. In its first game of the DeMarini Invitational, the Cardinal run-ruled Indiana, 10-1, in five innings.
Three Stanford players - Ashley Hansen, Shannon Koplitz and Maya Burns - all tripled in the game. Hansen's was her fourth of the season, moving her within two of the school's single season record (six by Catalina Morris in '04). Koplitz' was her third of the year and fifth of her career, tying her with Kelly Yablonski '99 for eighth place on the school's career chart. Burns' triple was the first of her career.
Sophomore pitcher Ashley Chinn (5-0) claimed the win for the Cardinal, fanning four batters and allowing just two hits in five innings of work. She picked up her 125th career strikeout in the third inning, giving her sole possession of ninth place on Stanford's career K chart. Hoosier starter Monica Wright gave up four runs in 1.1 innings and took the loss.
Stanford's freshmen accounted for five of the team's seven hits. Hansen went 3-for-3 with three RBI to lead all players, while Burns was 2-for-4 with a double and a triple.
Stanford allowed Indiana to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, but Hansen made sure that the team couldn't repeat its feat in the second. After Wright hit a batter and walked two, Stanford's rookie shortstop pounded a triple down the right line to give the Cardinal a 3-0 lead. Koplitz was then issued Stanford's fourth free pass of the inning, and Rosey Neill hit a sacrifice fly that was dropped by the Hoosier outfield and scored Hansen. Burns later ripped a double to right that plated Koplitz.
Indiana catcher Brittany Stein made an effort to chip away at the Stanford damage in the bottom of second, cracking a leadoff home run to left center that made it 5-1. Stein's homer and a bunt single by Heather Nelson in the third inning, however, proved to be the only Hoosier hits of the game.
Two more Stanford triples, these off the bats of Koplitz and Burns, resulted in a five-run Stanford third inning. A Hoosier error and a walk put two on for Koplitz' three-base rip down the right line, and another walk allowed Burns to drive in two with her triple to the wall in left center. Burns later scored on a fielder's choice to round out the scoring, 10-1.
Stanford will be back on the field later today, taking on Minnesota at 1:30 p.m. at the main stadium at Cal State Fullerton.