STANFORD, Calif. – Kylie Sorenson went 2-for-3 with three RBIs but it was not enough to propel Stanford past No. 9/8 UCLA in the series-opener Friday night as the Cardinal fell to the Bruins 12-4 in six innings.
Sorenson (4-5) got the start in the circle for Stanford (16-23, 1-9 Pac-12) and was one of five Cardinal players to see time at pitcher. She helped her own cause in the bottom of the second inning by hammering a two-run home run to center field. She added a third RBI on a two-out single in the bottom of the third.
“Kylie did a great job of playing at a high level regardless of the circumstances,” said Stanford head coach Rachel Hanson. “She battled through a little dip offensively and is now seeing the ball well and putting a good swing on the ball. She’s doing some good things while in the circle and in the box.”
Stanford’s pitching staff has been limited this season by injuries, causing players who typically are not pitchers to spend time in the circle. Sorenson (SS) and Tylyn Wells (LF) have shouldered a majority of the load but Kayla Bonstrom (1B), Erin Ashby (2B) and Kaitlyn Lagattuta (UTL) each made their season debuts in the circle Friday.
“This team is resilient,” said Hanson. “They have each other’s back and they pick each other up. We have everyone finding ways to get it done. No matter who I put in, I know they’re going to battle.”
Stanford’s five-pitcher rotation seemed to keep UCLA (33-8, 7-3 Pac-12) off-balance at times, but the Bruins offense came through with powerful and timely hits to capitalize on the Cardinal’s short staff.
Among the pitching highlights for Stanford was the freshman Lagattuta picking up consecutive strikeouts against two of the Bruins top hitters, Ally Carda and Delaney Spaulding.
Stanford did well to produce baserunners offensively but had trouble finding the hits needed to capitalize on opportunities. Along with Sorenson’s two hits, Hanna Winter and Leah White registered a hit apiece.
UCLA jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning and expanded its advantage to 7-0 after a big second inning.
The Cardinal responded in the bottom of the second when Sorenson homered to close the gap to 7-2.
Stanford held the Bruins scoreless in the top of the third and cut into their lead again in the bottom half of the inning. Sorenson singled to bring in a run and a second run scored on the same play after UCLA’s centerfielder misplayed the ball.
The Bruins found their rhythm the remainder of the game, scoring in the next three innings and preventing the Cardinal from adding any additional runs.
Stanford will go for the series split Saturday at 7 p.m. (PT) in game two against UCLA.