April 5, 2009
Eugene, Ore. - The Stanford softball team (34-2, 5-1 Pac-10) closed out a weekend sweep of the Oregon schools today, taking down the Ducks (12-22, 1-6 Pac-10), 5-2, at Howe Field in Eugene. The Cardinal, which has now won five consecutive Pac-10 games, clinched the series with the Ducks for the second straight year and took sole possession of first place in the Pac-10.
Senior pitcher Missy Penna (24-2) threw her third complete game of the weekend, giving up two runs on three hits with five K's. Sam Skillingstad (9-8) took the loss for Oregon after allowing five runs, three of which were earned. The rookie gave up six hits and struck out six batters.
Stanford's offense was paced by junior catcher Rosey Neill, who lifted her second home run of the weekend over the left field fence in the first inning, had two hits and reached on three of her four plate appearances.
Junior outfielder Alissa Haber also had two hits in the game, including a sixth-inning single that moved her into sole possession of ninth place on the school's career hit list. Senior second baseman Maddy Coon concluded a solid weekend with a 1-for-2 performance, two walks and two runs scored.
Stanford had six hits to the Ducks' three. Two of those Oregon hits, including a solo home run, came off the bat of senior outfielder Sari-Jane Jenkins. Stanford left seven runners on base in the game, while the Ducks stranded five.
Haber set the offensive tone early for the Cardinal, doubling to lead off the game. Freshman Ashley Hansen pushed her to third with a sacrifice slap to the pitcher and the junior raced in to score on a passed ball. Coon, the school's career walk leader, drew another free pass with two outs and Neill hammered her second home run of the weekend over the left field fence to make it 3-0. It was the team-leading eighth of the year for Neill and the 34th of her career, moving her into a tie for third place on Stanford's all-time list.
The Ducks got two of the runs back right away, using two hits to score a pair in the bottom of the first. With one out, Jenkins took a Penna pitch over the center field wall to make it 3-1. Junior Neena Bryant drew a full-count walk on the next at bat and later scored when Blair Williamson laced a double down the right field line.
Stanford squeezed another run across in the third inning when Coon and Neill started another two-out rally. Coon singled to right field and Neill followed with a double to right center. With runners at the corners, Melisa Koutz hit a ball to the right side that was mishandled by the Duck second baseman and sent Coon in.
Another two-out error gave Stanford its final run in the fourth inning. Sarah Hassman reached on a slap single, then stole her 11th base of the year. With two outs, Hansen drove a line drive to right field that was dropped, allowing Hassman to come home and give the Cardinal a three-run cushion.
Combined with losses by Arizona and Arizona State today, Stanford's win put the team alone at the top of the Pac-10 standings with a 5-1 record. The Cardinal returns to Smith Family Stadium for a Thursday contest against rival California this week, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. The series moves to Berkeley Friday and Saturday with game times at 4 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.