April 5, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 14 Stanford softball team tied its season high with three errors, costing the Cardinal three runs in an 8-5 loss to No. 18 Oregon, Thursday, at Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal drops to 27-9 overall and 1-6 in the conference, while the Ducks improve to 24-7 overall and to 3-3 in the Pac-12.
Junior pitcher Teagan Gerhart took the loss in the circle, falling to 22-5. She tallied three strikeouts and gave up eight runs (five earned) on nine hits. Oregon's Jessica Moore earned the win, moving to 17-5 overall. She finished with five strikeouts.
Stanford outhit Oregon, 11-9, in the contest. It is the first time all season the Cardinal has outhit an opponent and lost the game.
The Ducks took an early 1-0 lead, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Third baseman Courtney Ceo hit a single to left field and then advanced to second on a fielding error by Stanford's Leah White. After moving to third on a passed ball by Cardinal catcher Maya Burns, Ceo scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Kailee Cuico.
Stanford threatened in the bottom of the second by loading the bases, but Moore got out of the jam to keep the Cardinal scoreless for another inning.
Oregon added to its lead in the third as second baseman Kaylan Howard hit a two-run shot to left field. She leads the Ducks with seven home runs this season.
Stanford cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the third. Freshman Hanna Winter drew a walk to lead off the inning. White then singled and moved to second on a throwing error by Ceo, allowing Winter to score from first. Senior shortstop Ashley Hansen then ripped a triple to right centerfield, scoring White. She leads the team with five triples this season.
Oregon tacked on another run in the fourth. Centerfielder Samantha Pappas hit a triple to right centerfield. She then scored on a fielding error by Winter, which allowed right fielder Sara Goodrum to reach base.
With runners on the corners and two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Winter stole second, but designated player Tegan Schmidt was thrown out at home to end the inning and keep the score 4-2 in favor of the Ducks.
Oregon increased its lead to 7-2 as Cuico hit a three-run home run to left field in the top of the fifth.
Stanford answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. With the bases loaded, junior Jenna Rich hit a two-run single to left field, scoring White and Hansen.
The Cardinal added a fifth run in the sixth as White singled through the left side, scoring Schmidt from third.
The Ducks scored their final run in the top of the seventh as catcher Alexa Peterson laid down an RBI bunt single to score shortstop Kelsey Chambers.
The Cardinal and Ducks will continue the three-game series on Friday, Apr. 6. First pitch is schedule for 7 p.m. from Smith Family Stadium.