April 3, 2009
Stanford, Calif. - The Stanford softball team (32-2, 3-1 Pac-10) won its third consecutive Pac-10 game today, topping Oregon State (16-17, 1-4 Pac-10) at the OSU Softball Complex in Corvallis, 4-2.
The Cardinal posted eight hits to the Beavers' four, but left nine runners on base. Freshman Ashley Hansen posted her third multi-hit game of Pac-10 play, while junior Shannon Koplitz went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Koplitz has now hit in each of the last five games, including all four conference contests, and driven in six of Stanford's 11 Pac-10 runs.
Oregon State was led by sophomore Audrey Roderfeld, who reached on two of her three plate appearances and scored the Beavers' first run.
Stanford ace Missy Penna (22-2) won the 106th game of her career, taking sole possession of the school win record from former great Dana Sorensen. Penna struck out 13 batters in seven innings of work, gave up four hits and allowed two unearned runs. Freshman Paige Hall (9-6) struck out six, gave up four earned runs and took the loss for the Beavers.
Oregon State struck first, using a pair of hits to score the game's first run in the second inning. Roderfeld led off with a single through the left side, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a single to left center by DeAnn Young.
Stanford answered at its first opportunity however, as Hansen and Alissa Haber joined forces to put the Cardinal on the board in the top of the third. Haber was hit by a pitch to start the inning, stole second and scored on Hansen's second single of the afternoon.
In the fifth inning, Stanford added another run to take over the lead, 2-1. Hansen was hit by a pitch with two outs and scored on a single by Koplitz.
The Beavers came back to tie the game in the bottom half of the frame, however. Freshman outfielder Mary Claire Brenner walked to start the inning and was replaced on first base by pinch runner McKenna Lowe. An overthrow on a sacrifice bunt allowed Lowe to take third on the next play, and the sophomore scored on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Erin Guzy.
Stanford came up with the winning runs on its last offensive chance, scoring twice in the top of the seventh. Freshman Sarah Hassman started the inning off with a single to the left side and Haber dropped a bunt in front of the plate to get herself on as well. Hansen chopped a ball in play that moved Hassman to third, and Koplitz drilled Hall's first offering to left field to drive in the winning run. Senior Maddy Coon singled down the left line on the next at bat to drive in Hansen and give Stanford a two-run cushion.
The Cardinal retired the Beavers in order in the bottom of the seventh. Penna capped off her 22nd complete game with one more strikeout, marking her fifth 13-K game of the year.
The Cardinal continues its first conference road weekend against Oregon tomorrow, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at Howe Field in Eugene.