April 13, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. - The 15th-ranked Stanford softball team snapped a two-game skid with an 8-4 win over No. 25 Oregon State, Friday, in the series opener at Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal captured its 30th win of the season, improving to 30-12 overall and 4-9 in the Pac-12, while the Beavers drop to 27-12 overall and 4-5 in the conference.
Junior pitcher Teagan Gerhart earned the win in the circle, moving to 25-7 overall. She finished with six strikeouts and allowed four runs on seven hits. OSU's Tina Andreana took the loss, falling to 5-8.
Oregon State took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. After left fielder Lea Cavestany drew a walk with two outs, she advanced to second on a wild pitch to move into scoring position. Second baseman Ya Garcia brought her home with a single to centerfield.
Stanford loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning, but was unable to capitalize, stranding all three runners.
The Cardinal tied it up in the bottom of the third as freshman Cassandra Roulund ripped a double to right field to score junior Jenna Rich from first base.
The Beavers regained the lead in the top of the fourth as lead-off hitter Dani Gilmore laced a single to right field, scoring pinch runner Madison Bundy from second.
A grand slam by catcher Maya Burns in the bottom of the fifth put the Cardinal on top, 5-2. It marks the first home run of the season for Burns and just the second of her career.
Still in the bottom of the fifth with no outs, sophomore designated player Danielle Miller hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Roulund from third. Lead-off hitter Hanna Winter increased the score to 7-2 in favor of the Cardinal with a bloop single to centerfield which allowed senior Jenna Becerra to score from third. Stanford wasn't finished as senior Ashley Hansen hit and RBI single up the middle, scoring pinch runner Alyssa Lombardo from second.
The Beavers scored their final runs in the top of the seventh as third baseman Desiree Beltran hit a two-run shot to left field.
Stanford and Oregon State will continue the series on Saturday, Apr. 14. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Smith Family Stadium.