Feb. 9, 2013
Cal Poly Box Score | Indiana Box Score
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 20/21 Stanford softball team defeated Cal Poly in nine innings (7-6) and Indiana (8-2), Saturday, at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinal improved to 4-1 overall, while the Mustangs dropped to 1-3 and the Hoosiers fell to 1-2.
Stanford combined for 28 hits in the two games. Senior Teagan Gerhart, who tallied nine strikeouts against Cal Poly, earned the win in the circle, improving to 2-1 overall. Freshman Kelsey Stevens picked up her second win of the season against Indiana, posting five strikeouts in 5.0 innings of play. Sophomore Nyree White closed out the Indiana game, fanning two batters.
The Cardinal came out swinging in the top of the first inning against Cal Poly, scoring four runs on five hits. Senior Sarah Hassman led off with a double up the middle and advanced to third on a single by sophomore Hanna Winter. Sophomore Leah White scored Hassman with a single to left field. Senior Jenna Rich then cleared the bases with a double that reached deep into right centerfield. Freshman catcher Jessica Plaza knocked in the fourth run of the inning with a single to right field.
Stanford threatened to score in the bottom of the second as Cal Poly intentionally walked Rich to load the bases. However, first baseman Erin Ashby grounded out to third base to end the inning.
The Mustangs cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the third inning. Cal Poly short stop Kim Westlund hit an RBI double to left centerfield, while right fielder Celina Lafrades hit an RBI double to right centerfield.
Cal Poly captured the lead in the top of the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Stanford pitcher Kelsey Stevens hit Lafrades to score third baseman Jillian Andersen. Gerhart re-entered for the Cardinal and gave up a two-run double to her sister, Cal Poly left fielder Whitley Gerhart.
Heading into the bottom of the seventh and needing a run, the Cardinal got just that from Ashby as she hit a solo home run to left field. It is her second career homer and it forced extra innings.
Neither team was able to plate a run in the eighth despite the international tiebreaker rule (placing a runner at second base to start the inning) being in effect.
Cal Poly scored one in the top of the ninth, putting the pressure on the Cardinal. In the bottom of the ninth, Stanford loaded the bases as White started the inning on-base, Rich drew a walk and freshman Kayla Bonstrom reached on a catcher's interference. Roulund came up with two outs and ripped a double to left centerfield, scoring Rich and Bonstrom, to win the game.
Against Indiana, Stanford took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Winter reached on an infield single and then Rich blasted a home run to centerfield. It was the first home run of the season for the senior.
Plaza added to the Cardinal lead in the fourth with a solo home run, the first of her career, to right centerfield. Stanford proceeded to load the bases, but was unable to capitalize holding on to a 3-0 advantage.
The Hoosiers answered in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the lead to 3-1. Third baseman Amanda Wagner scored from first on a double to right centerfield by catcher Kassi Farmer.
Stanford gave itself a cushion, tallying three runs in the top of the sixth. Ashby hit an RBI single to left field to score Hassman. White then doubled to left centerfield, bringing home Winter and pinch runner Tylyn Wells.
The Cardinal tacked on its two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Winter singled to left field, scoring Roulund from second and then Rich followed with an RBI single that scored freshman Kaitlin Shaberg.
Stanford wraps-up the Kajikawa Classic on Sunday, Feb. 10 against Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT from the Tempe Sports Complex.