March 11, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 10 Stanford softball team closed out the Louisville Slugger Classic at Smith Family Stadium, Sunday, with a 10-0 five inning victory over Cal Poly and a 7-2 win over San Jose State. The Cardinal, which has won 19 straight games, improves to 25-3 overall heading into conference play. The Mustangs fell to 7-13, while the Spartans are now 14-14.
Freshman pitcher Nyree White picked up both wins in the circle, improving to 5-2 overall. Against Cal Poly, White fanned five batters without giving up a run or issuing a walk. It was the third shutout of the year for the rookie. She finished with three strikeouts and only allowed three hits against the Spartans.
The Cardinal scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning against the Mustangs. Freshman Leah White reached on error while trying to lay down a sacrifice bunt, which allowed sophomore Caitlyn Pura to score from second. Junior Jenna Rich then hit her third triple of the season to score freshmen Hanna Winter and Leah White. Right fielder Corey Hanewich hit a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in the final run of the inning, scored by Rich.
Stanford scored its other six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, forcing the run-rule to go into effect in the fifth. A single through the right side by senior Ashley Hansen with the bases loaded brought home Pura and Winter. Rich then blasted a three-run shot to left field, marking her fourth long ball of the year. Pura, batting for the second time in the fourth inning, singled through the left side to score senior Jenna Becerra.
Against San Jose State, Stanford took an early 1-0 advantage over the Spartans. Hansen scored as first baseman Tegan Schmidt reached on an error by SJSU shortstop Jacqueline Zepeda.
San Jose State answered in the top of the second as catcher Amanda Schatz scored from third on a wild pitch by White.
Stanford regained the lead in the third inning. Winter led off with an infield single and then stole second. She scored on a single through the right side by Hansen.
The Cardinal broke the game open in the fourth, scoring five runs and increasing its lead to 7-1. Back-to-back RBI singles up the middle by catcher Maya Burns and Pura scored Schmidt and Becerra. Rich then hit a two run single to deep centerfield, scoring Winter and Leah White. Hanewich drove in the final run of the inning on a double down the right line.
San Jose State scored the final run of the game in the fifth as first baseman Sharon-Renae Estrada hit an RBI double to score third baseman Annica Wolfe.
The Cardinal now has an 11-day break for finals before it returns to the field to open Pac-12 Conference play at home with a three-game series against Bay Area rival California, March 23-25. Friday's contest will be aired on a tape-delayed bases by Fox Sports Net.