April 10, 2011
LOS ANGELES - Behind sophomore pitcher Teagan Gerhart, the 13th-ranked Stanford softball team defeated No. 6 UCLA, 5-1, Sunday, for its first Pac-10 Conference series win over the Bruins since 2007. The Cardinal moves to 26-8 overall and 2-4 in the Pac-10, while the Bruins drop to 28-7 overall and 4-2 in the conference.
Gerhart threw her 16th complete game of the season, striking out seven UCLA hitters in the process. She gave up just five hits and issued three walks to improve to 14-6 overall on the year. UCLA's Donna Kerr took the loss, dropping to 10-2 on the season.
Junior shortstop Ashley Hansen went 2-3 with an RBI, while junior centerfielder Sarah Hassman tallied two hits and scored two runs. Freshman designated player Danielle Miller finished with two RBI on one hit and a sacrifice fly.
The Cardinal struck first as Hassman led off with a single down the left line. After two consecutive ground outs moved Hassman to third, Miller singled up the middle to score the first run of the game.
Stanford added to its lead in the top of the fourth, taking a 2-0 advantage. On her 20th birthday, sophomore Jenna Rich hit a solo shot to left field, her eighth home run of the season.
Gerhart remained solid in the circle, totaling six strikeouts through the first four innings. The Cardinal increased its lead to 3-0 in the top of the fifth. Miller reached on a fielder's choice and then advanced to second on a wild pitch by UCLA pitcher Aleah Macon. Sophomore Jaquilyn Edwards entered the game to pinch run for Miller at second. She scored on an RBI single by freshman Michelle Prong.
Stanford took a 5-0 lead in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs. Hansen hit an RBI single through the left side to score Gerhart for the first run. Miller then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Hassman.
The Bruins avoided the shutout in the bottom of the seventh, scoring a run with two outs. However, Gerhart was able to retire the next batter to give the Cardinal its first series win over UCLA in four years.
Stanford returns to The Farm for a mid-week game on Tuesday, Apr. 12 versus San Jose State at 6 p.m. The Cardinal will then host the Oregon State Beavers Apr. 15-17 at Smith Family Stadium.