May 21, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. - The 11th-ranked Stanford softball team defeated Fresno State, 3-1, Saturday, at Smith Family Stadium to advance to the regional final on Sunday. With the win, the Cardinal (40-15) secures its 12th 40-win season. Fresno State falls to 35-18 on the year.
Sophomore pitcher Teagan Gerhart improves to 24-11 as she posted her 27th complete game of the season. She fanned two batters and allowed just one run on three hits. Fresno State's Michelle Moses took the loss, dropping to 16-12 overall.
Six different Cardinal batters registered a hit on the day with sophomore second baseman Jenna Rich leading the way with two hits and an RBI. Freshman Caitlyn Pura and senior Melisa Koutz each tallied RBI singles in the win.
Stanford struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Gerhart drew a walk to lead off the inning. She then tallied her 23rd stolen base of the season. She advanced to third on a single by junior Ashley Hansen and scored on an RBI single by Rich. It marked the third RBI of the postseason for Rich. Pura drove in the second run of the inning with a single to centerfield.
Fresno State cut the lead in half as third baseman Nicole Angene led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to left centerfield.
Stanford answered in the top of the sixth, increasing its lead to 3-1. With two runners on, Koutz singled through the right side to score Pura. With no outs, the Cardinal loaded the bases but was unable to capitalize, stranding three runners to end the inning.
The Cardinal now awaits the winner of the 6 p.m. elimination game between Fresno State and the winner of the Nebraska/Pacific contest. Sunday's regional final will start at 1:30 p.m. PT from Smith Family Saturday.