STANFORD, Calif. – Carolyn Lee pitched a complete game gem, Bessie Noll hit a home run and made two highlight defensive plays to help Stanford knock off No. 17/12 Missouri 5-3 Thursday afternoon.
Lee (2-3) had a terrific outing in the circle, throwing her fourth complete game of the season and permitting just three runs on eight hits and four walks with three strikeouts.
"What a gutty performance from a freshman," said Stanford head coach Rachel Hanson. "That's one of the best offensive teams in the country and she showed no fear from start to finish."
Another complete game and stellar performance in the circle by @calee97 to earn her first top-25 win. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/NHa0llkcbU
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 26, 2016
Carolyn Lee discussed Stanford's first top-25 victory.
Noll made two home-run-saving catches in the first and third innings of the game. The first catch came in the bottom of the first and prevented a three-run shot.
Noll made the catch of the year so far in the third inning when she robbed Missouri's (7-1) Emily Crane of a two-run home run. Crane hit a towering shot to the left-center field gap that Noll tracked down. As she approached the fence, she dove for the ball, made the catch and landed on the other side of the fence. The catch ended the inning and got Stanford out of a jam.
"She's such a tremendous athlete," said Hanson. "Her catch in the third inning is one of the best catches I've ever seen – diving over the fence to rob a two-run home run. That was a big moment for us and helped us set the tone. She backed it up with the bat as well with a giant home run."
Bessie Noll made the catch of the year so far w/ a diving grab over the center field fence. She described the play. pic.twitter.com/Ip296S58Ti
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 26, 2016
Bessie Noll discussed her diving catch over the center field fence.
Holding a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning with one out and runners on first and second, Stanford escaped the jam when Lauren Frost made a highlight-worthy over-the-shoulder catch at second base on a bloop hit. After making the catch, she threw the ball to Kylie Sorenson on second base to double-up the runner who thought the ball was going to fall and end the game.
"We did all the little things today and were focused each pitch of the game," said Hanson. "We had players going all out, making diving catches and swinging aggressively."
Stanford found itself in an early hole when Missouri struck for a run in the bottom of the first. Noll halted any potential rally with a home-run-saving catch at the wall to end the inning.
The Cardinal got the run back in the top of the third inning when Whitney Burks hit the first home run of her career – a towering shot to right-center field.
With the Tigers threatening in the bottom half of the inning with two outs, Noll preserved the tie with a diving catch over the center field wall to end the inning.
Stanford took the lead in the top of the fourth inning when Noll hit a one-out home run to center field. Stanford continued to rally and added another run when Lauren Wegner singled to bring home Plaza from second and put the Cardinal up 3-1.
The Tigers loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half of the frame but Lee struck out the following batter to end the inning. While Lee picked up the strikeout, Hanson noted the importance of Jessica Plaza behind the plate.
"Plaza called a great game behind the plate and did a good job of keeping them off balance," said Hanson.
Missouri was able to break through in the bottom half of the fifth, however, and posted two runs to tie the game at 3-3.
Stanford responded immediately with a run in the top of the sixth inning to retake the lead, 4-3. Noll hit a double to left-center field and scored on a bloop-single by Plaza.
The Cardinal added an insurance run in the top of the seventh to extend the lead to 5-3. Frost opened the inning by reaching base on an error and moved to second on a single up the middle by Kylie Sorenson. Kayla Bonstrom followed with a single up the middle of her own to bring Frost home.
Two of Missouri's first three batters reached base to start the bottom of the seventh. However, Lee let her defense work and Frost turned the game-ending double play to secure the victory.
.@Frostylf stepped into the game when her team needed her and secured the win with an outstanding defensive play. pic.twitter.com/mrUKTgZzMB
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 26, 2016
Lauren Frost discussed her game-ending highlight-worthy catch.
Stanford continues play at the Mary Nutter Classic Friday at 5:30 p.m. against San Jose State.