April 3, 2013
CORVALLIS, Ore. - The 14th-ranked Stanford softball team dropped a 4-3 decision at No. 24 Oregon State,Wednesday, in the series finale at the OSU Softball Complex in Corvallis, Ore. The Cardinal falls to 26-10 overall and 4-5 in the Pac-12, while the Beavers improved to 24-11 overall and 1-5 in the conference.
Senior pitcher Teagan Gerhart took the loss in the circle, dropping to 14-5 overall. She gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits in 2.0 innings pitched. Sophomore Nyree White made her 13th appearance of the season, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Oregon State's Marina Demore earned the win, moving to 17-5.
Oregon State freshman Natalie Hampton hit a solo shot to right field to lead off the bottom of the second inning to give the Beavers the early advantage.
The Beavers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on three hits and taking advantage of a Cardinal error. Designated player Ashley Sanchez reached on a fielder's choice, but a throwing error on Stanford third baseman Hanna Winter allowed Dani Gilmore to score the first run of the inning. Hampton then hit a two-run single to centerfield for the Beavers.
Right fielder Cassandra Roulund got the Cardinal on the board with a solo home run to right field in the top of the fourth inning. It marks the second long ball of the season for the sophomore. Then, with the bases loaded, Winter was hit by a pitch, bringing home sophomore Erin Ashby.
In the top of the fifth, with two runners on, senior Jenna Rich singled down the left line to score Leah White and cut the Beavers lead to 4-3.
Stanford returns to The Farm this weekend to play host to second-ranked Arizona State, April 6-7. The Cardinal and Sun Devils will square-off in a double-header on Saturday on the Pac-12 Networks beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday's series finale is slated for Noon from Smith Family Stadium.