MORAGA, Calif. – A strong pitching performance by Madi Schreyer and a two-run home run by Kylie Sorenson propelled Stanford to a 2-1 victory Wednesday at Saint Mary’s.
Schreyer (20-12) was terrific in the circle, registering seven strikeouts in her 21st complete game on the season. She permitted seven hits and did not allow an earned run.
Sorenson was one of five Cardinal players to record a hit and did so in the third inning when she hammered a two-run homer to left field. It was the freshman’s fifth home run of the year. Erin Ashby, Cassandra Roulund, Bessie Noll and Tylyn Wells recorded a hit apiece.
Saint Mary’s had at least one player reach base in each of the first six innings but the two-run lead was all the Cardinal needed to secure the victory behind Schreyer’s pitching and sound defense.
After two scoreless innings to start the game, Stanford broke through in the third. Wells led off with a single before Sorenson stepped to the plate to hit a two-run homer.
Saint Mary’s threatened in the bottom of the fourth with two runners reaching base and one out but Schreyer retired the next two batters to get out of the jam.
The Gaels got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Andrea Hazel singled to center field to bring in a run and cut Stanford’s lead to 2-1. Schreyer got the next batter to ground out to end the inning and avoid any additional damage.
Schreyer limited Saint Mary’s to one hit in the sixth inning and retired the Gaels in order in the seventh to secure the win.
The Cardinal will look to carry its momentum into the weekend when it travels to Los Angeles for a three-game series at No. 2/2 UCLA. Friday’s game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks, Saturday’s will be broadcast on ESPNU and Sunday will air on ESPN.