March 25, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. - The ninth-ranked Stanford softball team fell 4-3 and 8-0 in a double-header against No. 2 California, Sunday, at Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal drops to 25-6 overall and 0-3 in the Pac-12, while the Golden Bears improved to 29-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference.
Stanford freshman Nyree White took the loss in the circle in game one, falling to 5-3 overall. She finished with five strikeouts and allowed four runs on seven hits with just one walk. Cal senior Valerie Arioto picked up the win, improving to 13-0, while junior Jolene Henderson earned her third save of the year for Bears.
Cal opened the first game with a three-run first inning. Lead-off hitter Jamia Reid scored on a throwing error by Stanford shortstop Ashley Hansen. Designated player Breana Kosteba then hit a two run home run to centerfield, scoring second baseman Jace Williams.
The Bears added a run in the top of the fifth inning to take a 4-0 advantage. With a runner on third, first baseman Britt Vonk hit a double into the gap between center and right field.
The Cardinal cut the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman Leah White hit a single to left field and advanced to second as Hansen reached on an error by Williams. Junior designated player Jenna Rich brought both runners home with a double to left field. The play prompted Cal head coach Diane Ninemire to replace Arioto in the circle with Henderson.
Stanford trailed by two heading into the bottom of the seventh, but its comeback fell short. Pinch hitter Danielle Miller doubled to left centerfield to put a runner on for the Cardinal. With two outs, Leah White doubled down the left line, scoring pinch runner Caitlyn Pura. However, after Hansen was intentionally walked, Rich popped up to first base to end the game.
Junior pitcher Teagan Gerhart started the second game in the circle for Stanford, falling to 20-3 on the year. She finished with six strikeouts in her 11th complete game this season. Cal's Henderson earned the win, moving to 16-1.
It was three-up, three-down for the Bears in the top of the first. The Cardinal loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half of the inning, but Henderson struck out the next three Stanford hitters to get out of the jam.
Cal took its turn loading the bases in the top of the third with no outs, in which Gerhart retired the next three batters to keep the game scoreless.
The Bears broke the tie in the top of the fifth as Arioto doubled down the left line, scoring centerfielder Frani Echavarria and Reid.
Cal increased its lead to 4-0 as Echavarria hit a two-run shot to centerfield in the top of the sixth.
Arioto and Williams hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the seventh. Third baseman Danielle Henderson then singled through the left side to score Elia Reid. Jolene Henderson hit an RBI single to left field to conclude the scoring at 8-0 in favor of the Bears.
Up next, Stanford will play host to Santa Clara on Tuesday, March 27 at 6 p.m. for a non-conference matchup. The Cardinal will then continue Pac-12 play on the road at Arizona, March 30 - Apr. 1.