May 19, 2012
LAFAYETTE, La. - The 16th-ranked Stanford softball team dropped a 9-3 decision at No. 7 Louisiana-Lafayette in the third game of the Lafayette Regional in front of more than 2,400 fans at Lamson Park in Lafayette, La. The Cardinal falls to 39-18 overall, while the Ragin' Cajuns improve to 51-4.
Junior pitcher Teagan Gerhart took the loss in the circle, dropping to 31-12 overall. She gave up eight earned runs on 13 hits, while striking out one and issuing one walk. ULL freshman Jordan Wallace earned the win, moving to 26-1. She tallied four strikeouts, allowing three earned runs on seven hits. Both teams committed two errors in the game.
Junior Jenna Rich hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning for the Cardinal. Her three RBI ties the school's single season record of 66, set by Sarah Beeson in 2001.
ULL jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning. With the bases loaded, shortstop Nerissa Myers hit a home run just over the right field fence for the Ragin' Cajuns.
Stanford had two runners in scoring position in the bottom of the second, but came up empty. Freshman Cassandra Roulund hit a single through the right side and senior Jenna Becerra recorded her team-leading 14th double of the year.
The Cardinal again put two runners on, but failed to capitalize. Freshman Leah White and senior Ashley Hansen registered back-to-back infield singles for Stanford.
The Ragin' Cajuns doubled their lead in the top of the fourth as first baseman Matte Haack hit a grand slam to left centerfield.
ULL tacked on another run in the top of the fifth to go ahead 9-0. However, Stanford scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning to avoid the run-rule. Freshman Hanna Winter and Hansen put runners on the corners for the Cardinal. Rich then hit her 11th home run of the season to cut the lead to 9-3.
Stanford will now play a second game Saturday, facing the winner of the Baylor/Mississippi Valley State game. First pitch in the elimination game is scheduled for approximately 6: 45 p.m. CT.