March 21, 2009
Stanford, Calif. - The Stanford softball team added yet another notch to its record winning streak this afternoon, pushing the more than monthlong run to 25 games with a 5-1 victory over Winthrop at the Stanford Invitational. The Cardinal posted nine hits, including three for extra bases, and boosted its 2009 record to 26-1.
Freshman Ashley Hansen and senior Maddy Coon led the offense, combining for five of the team's nine hits and four of its five runs. Hansen was 3-for-4 on the day and scored three times, while Coon was 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Stanford outhit Winthrop, 9-5, and left nine runners on base, including six in scoring position.
Senior pitcher Missy Penna collected her 101st career win and improved to 17-1 on the year. The Cardinal ace fanned 10 batters and allowed just five hits, but gave up her first earned run in 54 innings.
Junior Cari Woolridge (1-5) gave up four runs in three innings and took the loss for Winthrop (10-14).
Stanford struck in the first inning, when Coon came up with a big double to spur a two-out rally. Hansen recorded her ninth double of the year to put Stanford's first runner of the game on, and Coon drilled a shot through the right side to drive her in. After Maya Burns drew a walk, Rosey Neill sent another ball through the right side, allowing Coon to score from second.
The Cardinal added an unearned run in the third inning. Hansen led off with a single through the right side, and was bunted to second by Shannon Koplitz. With two outs, Burns popped a ball up near second base, which was dropped in a collision between the Eagle second baseman and shortstop. Hansen scored on the play, pushing the Stanford lead to 3-0.
In the fourth inning, freshman Jenna Becerra connected on the first pitch she saw, driving her third home run of the year over the left field fence.
Stanford's 4-0 lead was threatened in the sixth inning, however, when the first three Eagle batters of the inning reached. Center fielder Tessa Thomas and right fielder Lisa Kingsmore chopped balls up the middle to put two runners on, and Penna issued a walk to load the bases. The senior ace struck out Shannon Burke to get one out, but on the next at-bat, Veronica Berrie launched a double off the wall in right field. Thomas scored on the play, but Coon was able to gun down Kingsmore at the plate on a relay from the outfield and limit the Winthrop damage.
The Cardinal rallied to get another insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, pushing the lead to 5-1. Hansen slapped her third hit of the day to the shortstop, stole second and was driven in on a single by Coon.
Stanford will take on Santa Clara in its second game today, which begins at approximately 3:45 p.m.