March 7, 2012
MORAGA, Calif. - Senior shortstop Ashley Hansen set a new record for doubles in a career as the No. 10 Stanford softball team defeated Saint Mary's, 9-6, Wednesday in Moraga, Calif. The Cardinal improves to 19-3 overall, while the Gaels drop to 5-10.
Freshman Nyree White earned the start in the circle, recording her first win of the season. She finished with five strikeouts in her first complete game of the season. She now stands at 1-2 overall. The Gaels' Britany Linton falls to 3-5.
Stanford took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second. With runners on second and third with no outs, senior Jenna Becerra grounded out to second to score sophomore Corey Hanewich. First baseman Tegan Schmidt then scored on an RBI single to left field by sophomore Caitlyn Pura.
Junior Jenna Rich added a third run in the third with a solo shot to left field. It is the second homer of the year for Rich and the 24th of her career, which ties Kira Ching and Alissa Haber for the eighth-most in school history.
Saint Mary's got on the board in the fourth, cutting the lead to 3-1. Shortstop Rebecca Sabatini led off with a single to right field, but a fielding error by Hanewich allowed Sabatini to advance to third. She scored as right fielder Nicole Arce grounded out to the shortstop.
The Cardinal tacked on two more runs in the fifth. With two outs, Stanford loaded the bases, setting up Becerra. She doubled to center field scoring Rich and Hanewich.
Stanford pushed the lead to 8-1 in the sixth inning. Pura led off with a single to left field. She then scored as freshman Hanna Winter hit an infield single and then an error by third baseman Mandy Camuso allowed Pura to score. Hansen single through the left side, scoring Winter. After Schmidt drew a walk to load the bases, Becerra was also issued a walk, scoring Leah White.
In the top of the seventh, Hansen registered an RBI double to score Winter. It marked the 73rd double of her career, breaking Haber's record of 72 set in 2010.
Saint Mary's put up a fight in the bottom of the seventh, scoring five runs on four hits. However, White was able to hang on and get the win for Stanford.zz
The Cardinal returns to The Farm to host the Louisville Slugger Classic, March 9-11, at Smith Family Stadium. Stanford will play six games over the three-day tournament against Ole Miss (twice), James Madison, Colorado State, Cal Poly and San Jose State.