Feb. 6, 2009
Tempe, Ariz. - In her senior debut, Stanford pitcher Missy Penna allowed just two hits, but Oklahoma State was able to edge the No. 9/11 Cardinal , 1-0.
Stanford (1-1) finished its first day of 2009 with a split, after run-ruling McNeese State earlier in the day. The game was the season opener for Oklahoma State.
The Cardinal outhit the Cowgirls, 3-2, and took five walks. Stanford left eight runners stranded, however, while Oklahoma State plated one of its two base runners.
Penna struck out four without allowing a walk. A fifth-inning double by OSU's Megan Castle was the only hit Penna allowed out of the infield. Junior Anna Whiddon fanned five and claimed the win for the Cowgirls.
Stanford's three hits came from junior Alissa Haber, senior Maddy Coon and freshman Sarah Hassman.
Stanford left runners on third three times, and wasted four in scoring position. In the first inning, Haber reached third with no outs when the catcher's attempt to throw her out her stealing sailed into the outfield. In the fifth, Hassman reached on a single, stole second and took third on a fly ball. With two outs, however, a fly ball to center field ended the inning.
Oklahoma State got its first base runner in the fifth inning, when Castle doubled off the wall in left field. A sacrifice bunt moved Castle to third, and with two outs and two strikes on Sam Heinlein, a wild pitch allowed her to score.
Stanford loaded the bases in the sixth, but was again unable to bring one across. Coon launched a ball to left field that was just outside the foul pole to start the inning, then singled through the left side. Coon beat out a fielder's choice before Brittany Minder walked to load the bases. With two out, however, Stanford couldn't bring the tying run across.
Stanford returns to the field at the Kajikawa Classic tomorrow, taking on Texas Tech and Kansas in games at 1:30 p.m. (MT) and 6:30 p.m. (MT), respectively. Both games will be played at the Tempe Sports Complex.