March 24, 2013
EUGENE, Ore. - For the second straight game, the No. 15/16 Stanford softball team relinquished an early lead to 10th-ranked Oregon, falling 3-2, Sunday, at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore. The Cardinal now stands at 22-7 overall and 0-2 in the conference, while the Ducks improve to 25-4 on the year and 2 -0 in the Pac-12.
Senior pitcher Teagan Gerhart took the loss, dropping to 11-4 on the year. She gave up just three hits, while all three Oregon runs allowed were unearned. Oregon freshman Cheridan Hawkins entered the game in the fifth and picked up the win, moving to 10-1 overall.
Stanford took the early 1-0 advantage in the top of the first inning. Senior Sarah Hassman drew a walk to lead off the inning. She moved to second on an infield single by sophomore Hanna Winter. With two outs, freshman Kayla Bonstrom hit a fly ball blooper to centerfield. Oregon's Janie Takeda got under it, but ultimately dropped it allowing Hassman to score from second.
The Cardinal tacked on another run in the top of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, freshman catcher Jessica Plaza hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring senior Jenna Rich.
Oregon rallied in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead, 3-2. Catcher Alexa Peterson hit an RBI single through the left side, scoring second baseman Kaylan Howard. Pinch hitter Janelle Lindvall then hit a two-run double to right centerfield to bring home Samantha Pappas and Peterson.
Stanford and Oregon wrap-up the three-game series on Monday, March 25 with first pitch being slated for Noon PT from Howe Field.