May 19, 2013
LINCOLN, Neb. - The 13th-ranked Stanford softball team's season came to an end after the Cardinal fell 10-5 at No. 16 Nebraska, Sunday, in the Lincoln Regional at Bowlin Stadium. Stanford finishes the season 39-21 overall, while Nebraska improves to 43-13. The Huskers have advanced to the Super Regionals and will travel to Eugene, Ore., to face the Oregon Ducks.
Senior pitcher Teagan Gerhart threw her final game in a Cardinal uniform, ending the year 21-13 overall. Nebraska's Tatum Edwards finished with four strikeouts and improved to 29-8.
Sophomore designated player Erin Ashby finished 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead the team. Senior Jenna Rich was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while senior Tegan Schmidt and freshman Jessica Plaza each tallied an RBI.
After a 35 minute weather delay, Nebraska took the early lead on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Brooke Thomason in the top of the first inning.
Stanford answered in the bottom half of the inning, taking a 3-1 lead. With the bases loaded, sophomore designated player Ashby hit a bloop single to centerfield, scoring Hanna Winter. Plaza and Schmidt then drew back-to-back walks with the bases juiced to score Leah White and Rich, respectively.
After another delay, which lasted 1:10, the teams played three scoreless innings. Nebraska shortstop Alicia Armstrong hit a solo home run to lead off the fifth inning. The Huskers then took the lead on a fielder's choice sacrifice squeeze by Gabby Banda and an RBI single by Taylor Edwards.
After yet another rain delay, Nebraska added two more runs on a double by designated player Courtney Breault.
The Cardinal got one back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sophomore Cassandra Roulund led off the inning with a double to centerfield. She advanced to third as Plaza grounded out to second base, and then scored as Schmidt reached on an error by Tatum Edwards.
Nebraska added four runs on three hits in the top of the sixth inning to push its lead to 10-4. Stanford posted one run in the bottom half of the inning on a single up the middle by Ashby.