SALT LAKE CITY – A seven-run first inning propelled Utah to an 8-3 win over Stanford, Friday, at Utah Softball Stadium in Salt Lake City. The Cardinal falls to 25-18 overall and to 2-12 in the Pac-12, while the Utes move to 20-19 and 5-11 in conference.
Stanford outhit Utah, 13-8, but was unable to overcome the 7-0 deficit it faced after the first inning. Freshman pitcher Madi Schreyer gave up five runs on three hits in the first inning. Junior Tylyn Wells moved from designated player to pitcher, allowing three runs on five hits in 5.2 innings of work. However, Wells gave up just one run after the first inning.
Utah’s starting pitcher Kayce Nieto earned the win, moving her to 9-11 on the year.
Sophomore Kaitlin Schaberg led the team offensively, going 2-for-2 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Juniors Leah White and Erin Ashby were both 2-for-4 with an RBI apiece. Juniors Cassandra Roulund and Hanna Winter also registered two hits and each scored a run.
For the second straight game, a Utah player hit a grand slam. Third baseman Kristen Stewart hit one over the right field fence in her first at-bat.
Schaberg’s sacrifice fly to left field scored Roulund to get the Cardinal on the board in the top of the second inning. Ashby hit an RBI single through the left side in the third to score sophomore Kayla Bonstrom. White’s RBI single in the sixth capped off the scoring for Stanford.
Stanford and Utah will close out the series on Saturday, April 19. First pitch at Utah Softball Stadium is scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.