April 6, 2013
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 14 Stanford softball team fell in a double-header to second-ranked Arizona State, 12-6 and 11-2 in six innings, Saturday, at Smith Family Stadium in Stanford, Calif. The Cardinal drops to 26-12 overall and 4-7 in the Pac-12, while the Sun Devils move to 36-3 overall and 7-1 in the conference.
Senior pitcher Teagan Gerhart took the loss in the first game, falling to 14-6 on the season. Freshman Kelsey Stevens dropped to 10-5 on the season with the loss in game two. ASU's Dallas Escobedo improved to 19-3 with the win in the first game, finishing with seven strikeouts, while Mackenzie Popescue picked up the win in the second game, remaining undefeated at 16-0.
In game one, the Sun Devils jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Shortstop Cheyenne Coyle hit a solo shot to centerfield for ASU.
The Sun Devils added to their lead in the top of the second as Coyle drew a bases-loaded walk to score first baseman Bethany Kemp.
Stanford threatened in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with no outs. However, ASU's defense came up big as Leah White reached on a fielder's choice as pinch runner Tylyn Wells was out at home. Then, senior Jenna Rich grounded out into a double-play to end the inning.
The Cardinal found itself in the same position in the bottom of the fourth, bases loaded with no outs. This time, freshman second baseman Kaitlin Schaberg hit a single to right center, bringing home Kayla Bonstrom. Designated player Erin Ashby then drew a bases-loaded walk to score sophomore Cassandra Roulund. Senior Sarah Hassman also drew a bases-loaded walk, plating pinch runner Alyssa Lombardo.
ASU answered with a five-run fifth inning to push its lead to 10-3. Stanford allowed five runs on three hits, as well as, walking five Sun Devil batters in the inning.
Stanford wasn't finished, however, as Bonstrom led off the bottom of the fifth with a base-hit for the Cardinal. Roulund then hit a two-run homer to right field, cutting the lead to 10-5. It marked the third home run of the year for the sophomore.
The Sun Devils tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh as third baseman Haley Steele hit a two-run homer to left field.
In game two, the Sun Devils struck first again as designated player Amber Freeman hit a solo home run to left field in the top of the first inning.
ASU catcher Lucy Aubrecht, who did not play in game one, added to the Sun Devils lead with a solo shot of her own in the top of the second inning.
The Sun Devils continued their scoring streak in the top of the third inning as Freeman hit her second homer of the game, a three-run shot to centerfield.
The Cardinal got on the board in the bottom of the third as Leah White hit a double to left centerfield, plating sophomore Hanna Winter.
Freeman increased ASU's lead to 6-1 with an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning, scoring Bailey Wigness.
The Sun Devils then scored five runs on five hits in the top of the sixth to put the run-rule into effect. It is the first time this season that the Cardinal has dropped a game due to the mercy rule.
Even with the game out of reach, the Cardinal still battled as Bonstrom hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was the third long ball of the season for the rookie.
Stanford and ASU will wrap-up the three-game series on Sunday, April 7. First pitch is scheduled for Noon at Smith Family Stadium.