TEMPE, Ariz. – Stanford split a pair of games Saturday at the Kajikawa Classic, falling to New Mexico and defeating Cal Poly.
The Cardinal (2-1) played a game filled with missed opportunities against the Lobos (2-0), falling 8-4 after leaving 15 runners on base, including leaving the bases loaded in two innings.
Haley Snyder (1-1) got the start in the circle for the second consecutive game and allowed six runs on eight hits, three walks and one strikeout in 4.0 innings. She was relieved by Kaitlyn Lagattuta who did well to throw strikes and get outs to keep the game within reach.
Bessie Noll led the Cardinal at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run. It was her third home run in the first two games of the season.
"She did a tremendous job and is swinging the bat with confidence right now," said Stanford head coach Rachel Hanson.
Jessica Plaza also went 2-for-3 and picked up a walk. Kayla Bonstrom and Kylie Sorenson had strong showings in the game, going 1-for-3 and combining for three walks.
Stanford got off to a quick start and loaded the bases in each of the first two innings but could only produce a run per inning. New Mexico capitalized on the Cardinal's missteps, generating five runs in the first two frames to take a 5-2 lead. Stanford continued to have its opportunities but left 10 runners on base through the first four innings.
Stanford cut the lead to 5-3 in the top of the third when Noll it a ground ball to the Lobos shortstop who was unable to make the play, allowing Lauren Bertoy to score.
The Lobos added a run in the fourth and two in the sixth inning to extend its lead to 8-3.
Noll got a run back for Stanford in the top of the seventh with a solo home run to left-center field. Bonstrom and Sorenson reached base following Noll but the two-out rally fell short and the Cardinal suffered its first loss of the year.
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TEMPE, Ariz. – Stanford battled back with a resilient effort in its second game of the day, picking up a 6-4 victory against Cal Poly.
"I'm glad we had a tough game early in the season in the first game and I'm glad we learned how to immediately bounce back like we did in the second game," said Hanson.
Carolyn Lee made her collegiate debut in the circle and was terrific, going 7.0 innings for the complete game and permitting four runs - one earned - on seven hits. She retired 15 of the first 17 batters she faced through the first five innings.
"Nothing rattles her, she stays the same and competes no matter what," said Hanson. "She brings her A-game and never let up. She has a remarkable amount of composure and maturity for a freshman."
.@calee97 pitched a gem in her collegiate debut (7.0 IP, CG, 7 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB). Her thoughts on the win. pic.twitter.com/gPYkintwOc
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 14, 2016
Carolyn Lee's thoughts after her first collegiate victory.
The game looked like a pitchers dual through the first five innings with the Mustangs (1-2) starter Sierra Hyland (1-1) holding Stanford to one run surrendered in the first inning. However, the game broke open in the sixth inning when both teams made three errors apiece and combined for nine of the game's 10 runs.
The Cardinal spotted Cal Poly four runs in the top half of the inning with only one run being earned. Lee did well to limit the damage and help halt the rally. The inning ended when the Mustang's Noa Yakir hit a hard groundball up the middle that Sorenson made an effort toward but was unable to get to because the runner on second who was headed to third ran into Sorenson.
The runner was called out and the Cardinal got out of the inning with a three run deficit.
Stanford battled back immediately and loaded the bases with its first three batters of the inning. Bonstrom brought in two runs with a single up the middle.
Sorenson followed with an RBI-single through the right side of the infield to tie the game at 4-4. Two errors and a walk brought Bonstrom and Sorenson home for the go-ahead runs.
The leadoff hitter reached base for Cal Poly to start the seventh but Lee got the next batter to line out to center field. The Mustang's next hitter hit a popup to Bonstrom at first who was interfered with by the baserunner and both players were called out to end the game.
Stanford concludes play at the Kajikawa Classic on Sunday with games against CSUN at 12:30 p.m. (PT) and Seattle U at 2:45 p.m.