March 9, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. - Behind rookie pitcher Nyree White, the No. 10 Stanford softball team shut out James Madison, 4-0, Friday, in the Louisville Slugger Classic at Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal moves to 21-3 overall, winning its 15th straight game, while the Dukes drop to 8-9 on the season.
Nyree White earned the start in the circle, tossing her second complete game of the season and improving to 2-2. She finished with three strikeouts and threw just 12 balls the entire game. It marks the first shutout of her career. James Madison's Sarah Mooney took the loss, falling to 3-5.
Both teams were held scoreless until the fourth inning. Junior Jenna Rich led off the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle. She advanced to second as sophomore Corey Hanewich drew a walk. The runners advanced on the next play as senior Jenna Becerra laid down a sacrifice bunt. Rich scored as sophomore Tegan Schmidt reached on a fielder's choice, picking up the RBI.
Stanford added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, all with two outs on the scoreboard. Freshman Leah White, who reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second as senior Ashley Hansen was issued a walk. Hanewich then brought Leah White home with a single up the middle. Becerra hit a single to centerfield, scoring Hansen. She and Hanewich each took another base as the Dukes tried to make the play at home. Schmidte, the next batter, recorded an infield single to score Hanewich and push the lead to 4-0.
Stanford will then continue the Louisville Slugger Classic on Saturday, March 10 with a double-header against Colorado State at 11:15 a.m. and Ole Miss at 1:30 p.m. at Smith Family Stadium.