BERKELEY, Calif. – Stanford’s season came to a close Saturday at No. 19/19 California, falling to the Golden Bears 11-2 in five innings.
The Cardinal finishes the season with a 17-37 record overall and went 2-22 in Pac-12 play. The Cardinal played a majority of its season without a true pitcher due to injuries and called on position players to handle the load in the circle.
“This series just exemplified what we’ve been about all year – always compete and give the game everything you have regardless of the circumstances,” said Stanford head coach Rachel Hanson. “This group of women was dealt a tough hand when we lost our pitchers and they took it head on and competed hard the rest of the season.”
Despite being shorthanded at pitcher and having to shuffle players’ positions due to injuries, Stanford battled and produced numerous highlights throughout the year.
The Cardinal picked up victories against probable NCAA Tournament teams No. 3/4 Alabama, No. 24/23 Arizona State, RV/25 Texas and Utah.
Kayla Bonstrom had a tremendous season, finishing in the top-11 in multiple single-season categories in Stanford history including: slugging percentage (1st, .806), batting average (5th, .439), home runs (T-5th, 13), RBI (T-7th, 54), doubles (11th, 16) and fielding percentage (T-2nd, .997).
“Kayla is an incredible athlete and really personifies a championship work ethic,” said Hanson. “She had a great year – one of the best in school history – and she earned it through her hard work and grit.”
Jessica Plaza registered a perfect fielding percentage for the second season in a row. She is one of two Stanford players all-time to register a perfect fielding percentage.
Four Cardinal players combined for five hits, paced by a 2-for-3 performance by Tylyn Wells. Kylie Sorenson, Kaitlin Schaberg and Bonstrom produced a hit apiece.
Sorenson (4-11) – typically Stanford’s starting shortstop – did well to limit California’s offense in the first two games of the series. She ran into some trouble early and was relieved by Erin Ashby who battled to produce outs and finished the game for the Cardinal. The duo established themselves as regulars in the circle during Pac-12 play and contributed as much as they could to Stanford’s pitching efforts.
“Erin and Kylie once again stepped into the circle and did what the team needed,” said Hanson.
After two tough walk-off defeats to start the series at California, Stanford found itself in an early hole Saturday when the Bears took a commanding lead to start the game. California batted around its lineup and posted five runs on five hits.
Kobie Pettis extended California’s lead to 7-0 with a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning.
Tylyn Wells delivered Stanford’s first hit of the game with two outs in the top of the third inning, hammering a double to the right-center field gap. Kylie Sorenson came through with a clutch RBI-single to bring in Wells from second and get Stanford on the board.
Bonstrom followed with a single down the right field line and Sorenson advanced to third. Ashby hit a grounder in the next at bat that the Bears’ shortstop was unable to handle, scoring Sorenson from third and cutting California’s lead to 7-2.
California threatened in the bottom half of the third inning, putting runners on first and second with one out but Ashby was able to force a pair of fly outs to end the inning and escape the jam.
California loaded the bases to start the fourth inning with two of the first three batters being hit by a pitch and the other hitter drawing a walk. A wild pitch brought in the first run of the inning. The Bears produced two hits in the inning to score an additional three runs and make the score 11-2.
Wells led off the top of the fifth inning with a single to center field but Stanford was unable to generate the runs needed to avoid the run-rule decision.
“I’m so proud of this team,” said Hanson “Their character was on display the whole weekend as they battled Cal every inning of every game. We made them earn it and we showed what we’re made of.”
“We set the stage this year and we’re excited to build on this year and take some huge steps forward.”