March 9, 2013
STANFORD, Calif. - The 18th-ranked Stanford softball team showcased a high-powered offense, Saturday, in a 9-7 win over Minnesota and an 8-0 five inning victory against Florida Gulf Coast in the Stanford Louisville Slugger Classic. The Cardinal moves to 21-5 overall, while the Golden Gophers drop to 12-9 and the Eagles fell to 15-8.
Sophomore pitcher Nyree White (2-0) tallied her second straight win on Saturday, replacing freshman Kelsey Stevens in the fourth inning against Minnesota. She allowed just one hit and no runs while fanning six batters. Kelsey Kimminau took the loss for the Gophers, dropping to 0-3.
Against Florida Gulf Coast, senior Teagan Gerhart posted her 10th win of the season. She tossed a one-hitter and struck out six batters. She is now 10-3 overall. The Eagles' Shelby Morgan recorded the loss, falling to 6-5.
The Cardinal scored all nine of its runs against Minnesota in the bottom of the first inning, five of which were unearned. Senior Jenna Rich reached on an error by Gopher second baseman Erika Smyth with the bases loaded, scoring senior Sarah Hassman and sophomore Hanna Winter. Sophomore Cassandra Roulund drove in Leah White and Rich with her team-leading fifth triple of the season. First baseman Erin Ashby then singled up the middle to plate Roulund.
Still in the bottom of the first, Winter singled through the left side to score Ashby. Leah White drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home freshman Kaitlin Schaberg, while Rich hit a two-run single to right centerfield allowing Hassman and Winter to score.
Minnesota fought back, but ultimately didn't produce enough offense to make the comeback. The Gophers registered three runs in the second and four in the fourth. Only three of the seven Minnesota runs given up by Stevens were earned.
Against Florida Gulf Coast, Stanford posted another big first inning to take control of the game with a 6-0 advantage. Hassman, Winter and Rich all singled to load the bases with no outs. Ashby then hit a two-run single to left centerfield. After Roulund drew a walk to load the bases back up, freshman Kayla Bonstrom hit a grand slam over the centerfield wall. It was Bonstrom's first home run of her collegiate career.
The Cardinal added another run in the bottom of the second. Rich led off with a double to centerfield and was brought home on a single up the middle by Roulund.
Stanford scored its final run of the game, putting the eight-run rule into effect, as junior Corey Hanewich, pinch hitting for right fielder Tylyn Wells, scorched a single up the middle on the first pitch she saw to score freshman catcher Jessica Plaza.
Stanford closes out the weekend against Pacific on Sunday, March 10. First pitch between the Cardinal and the Tigers is slated for 12:15 p.m. from Smith Family Stadium. Admission is free and the Cardinal will be signing postgame autographs for fans in attendance.