March 31, 2012
TUCSON, Ariz. - The 13th-ranked Stanford softball team dropped a 9-1 five inning contest at No. 19 Arizona, Saturday, at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. The Cardinal falls to 27-7 overall and 1-4 in the conference, while the Wildcats move to 22-9 overall and to 1-4 in the Pac-12.
Freshman Nyree White earned the start in the circle, dropping to 5-4 on the year. She tallied four strikeouts, but gave up eight earned runs on eight hits and issued five walks. Arizona junior Kenzie Fowler picked up the win, moving to 9-3 overall. She finished with seven strikeouts and allowed just one run on seven Stanford hits.
Arizona jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. With a runner on second, third baseman Brigette Del Ponte hit a home run over the left centerfield wall. Designated player Baillie Kirker and left fielder Nicole Bryan drew back-to-back walks with the bases loaded to score the third and fourth runs.
The Wildcats added to their lead as Del Ponte hit her second two-run shot of the game in the bottom of the second.
Stanford got on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Rookie Hanna Winter led off the inning with a bunt single. She scored on a triple by senior Ashley Hansen, her fourth of the season.
The Cardinal loaded the bases in the top of the fifth as Winter, freshman Leah White and Hansen all recorded singles with one out. However, Fowler got out of the jam and the score remained 6-1 in favor of the Wildcats.
Arizona ended the contest in the bottom half of the inning as Kirker hit a three-run bomb to center field, her first home run of the season.
Stanford and Arizona will play the rubber game on Sunday, Apr. 1. First pitch is scheduled for Noon at Hillenbrand Stadium.