May 10, 2012
SALT LAKE CITY - The No. 15 Stanford softball team was shut out, 6-0, at Utah, Thursday, at Ute Field in Salt Lake City. The Cardinal falls to 36-17 overall and 9-13 in the Pac-12, while the Utes move to 28-26 overall and to 2-20 in the conference.
Junior pitcher Teagan Gerhart took the loss in the circle, dropping to 30-11 overall. She registered six strikeouts, but allowed five earned runs. Utah senior Generra Nielson tallied eight strikeouts and improved to 21-16 in the circle.
Stanford was held to just four hits in the game as senior Maya Burns recorded two infield singles, while senior Ashley Hansen and freshman Hanna Winter also hit singles for the Cardinal.
Utah jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded and one out, right fielder Hannah Clements hit a double to centerfield, scoring Jackie Sweet and Whitney Holm. Shortstop Kelsi Hoopiiaina then hit a three run shot to left field for the Utes.
The Utes added their sixth run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Pinch runner Taylor Austin scored from first as Hoopiiaina singled to left field. Stanford left fielder Corey Hanewich misplayed the ball, allowing Austin to cross the plate and Hoopiiaina to reach third.
Stanford and Utah will continue the three-game series on Friday, May 11. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. MT from Ute Field.