March 29, 2013
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 15/17 Stanford softball team dropped an 8-5 decision in eight innings to No. 12/14 UCLA, Friday, at Smith Family Stadium in Stanford, Calif. The Cardinal falls to 23-9 overall and 1-4 in the Pac-12, while the Bruins improve to 25-7 on the year and 2-3 in the conference.
The Cardinal allowed a season-high 14 hits and tied its season-high with four errors. Stanford utilized all three of its pitchers in the contest. Freshman Kelsey Stevens earned the start and gave up three runs on four hits. Sophomore Nyree White took the loss, falling to 2-1 on the year. UCLA's Ally Carda picked up the win, moving to 16-3 overall.
Offensively, Stanford was held to just four hits on the night. Senior centerfielder Sarah Hassman tallied an RBI single and scored a run for the Cardinal. Freshman catcher Jessica Plaza also tallied and RBI single, while freshman second baseman Kaitlin Schaberg added a double.
Taking advantage of two of UCLA's errors, Stanford jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Hassman drew a walk to lead off the inning and then advanced to second on a single through the left side by Leah White. First baseman Leah White were able to score as UCLA catcher Brittany Moeai dropped the ball at the plate. Bonstrom scored the third run of the inning on a single by Plaza.
The Bruins threatened in the top of the fourth inning with runners on the corners and just one out. However, short stop Stephany LaRosa lined into a double-play to Rich, who got the runner out at first.
Stanford tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Schaberg doubled to left field to put a runner into scoring position. Sophomore Tylyn Wells came in to run for Schaberg and scored on an RBI single up the middle by Hassman.
UCLA took the lead in the top of the fifth inning, scoring five runs on five hits. Tiumalu hit and RBI single to centerfield, while Jessica Hall hit a two-run triple to right centerfield, and then a throwing error by Schaberg allowed Hall to score on the play. Pinch hitter Britney Rodriguez capped off the scoring with a solo home run to left field.
The Cardinal responded in the bottom of the fifth, tying the game up at 5-5. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Tegan Schmidt reached on a fielder's choice, but a throwing error by Hall allowed pinch runner Alyssa Lombardo to score.
Neither team was able to score again during regulation, forcing Stanford's third extra innings game of the year. In the top of the eighth, Carda scored as Hall singled through the left side and then Leah White misplayed the ball in the outfield. A bases loaded walk then scored Tiumalu and Hall plated the third run of the inning on a wild pitch by Stevens.
The Cardinal and Bruins wrap-up the three-game series on Saturday, March 30 at Smith Family Stadium. First pitch is slated for Noon PT.