April 27, 2013
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 15/17 Stanford softball team continued its hot hitting streak, defeating Utah 12-0 in five innings, Saturday, at Smith Family Stadium. The win gives the Cardinal (31-16, 8-9 Pac-12) its third conference series win of the year. The Utes drop to 23-26-1 overall and 6-14 in the Pac-12.
Freshman pitcher Kelsey Stevens recorded her sixth shutout of the season, allowing only two hits while striking out six batters. She is now 12-7 on the season. Utah's Mariah Ramirez (9-11) took the loss, giving up 10 runs on nine hits in 1.1 innings.
All nine hitters in the Cardinal starting lineup scored at least one run in the game as Stanford spread around its offensive production. Freshman first baseman Kayla Bonstrom hit a double and a home run to collect four RBI, while scoring two runs. Sophomore right fielder Cassandra Roulund added a two-run home run and scored two runs as well. Sophomore third baseman Hanna Winter added a three-run triple and two runs scored.
Stanford scored 10 runs on nine hits, taking advantage of one Utah error in the bottom of the second inning. In addition to Bonstrom's two-run double, Winter's three-run triple and Roulund's two-run homer, freshman catcher Jessica Plaza hit a two-run single up the middle. Sophomore designated player Erin Ashby also scored as senior Sarah Hassman reached on an error by Utah second baseman Jackie Sweet.
The Cardinal scored its final two runs in the bottom of the third inning on Bonstrom's fifth homer of the season. She leads the team with a .364 average, upping that mark to .412 in Pac-12 contests.
Sophomores Tylyn Wells and Alyssa Lombardo pinch hit in the fourth inning for Ashby and Plaza, respectively. Both players recorded infield singles for Stanford.
The Cardinal will go for the series sweep over Utah on Sunday, April 28. The game will be aired live on the Pac-12 Networks with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.