March 23, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 9 Stanford softball team dropped a 9-0 contest to second-ranked California in the Pac-12 opener for both teams. The Cardinal, which had its 19 game winning streak snapped, falls to 25-4 overall and 0-1 in the Pac-12, while the Golden Bears improved to 27-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
Junior pitcher Teagan Gerhart took the loss in the circle, falling to 20-2. She finished with five strikeouts, while allowing nine runs on 12 hits. Cal junior Jolene Henderson picked up the win, moving to 15-1 overall.
Recording hits for the Cardinal were sophomore Caitlyn Pura and rookies Leah White and Hanna Winter.
Cal jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Senior first baseman Valerie Arioto hit a two-run home run to right field. After second baseman Jace Williams drew a walk, right fielder Breana Kostreba hit a home run over the left centerfield wall.
The Bears added two more runs in the top of the fourth as Arioto hit another two-run homer for Cal.
Cal tallied another run in the sixth inning. Williams doubled to right field, allowing lead-off hitter Jamia Reid to score from second.
The Bears scored two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Third baseman Danielle Henderson hit a solo home run to right field to lead off the inning. Pinch hitter Ashley Decker followed up with a solo shot of her own in the next at-bat.
Stanford and Cal will continue the series on Saturday, March 24. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Smith Family Stadium.