LOS ANGELES – Stanford rallied back from an early 5-0 deficit to take a 9-5 lead in the top of the sixth inning but the Cardinal could not hold on and dropped a 13-9 decision at No. 13/15 UCLA Saturday night.
Stanford (13-18, 0-7 Pac-12) scored three runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to erase a five-run deficit surrendered to the Bruins (23-11-1, 5-3-1 Pac-12) over the first two innings. However, UCLA rallied for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to retake the lead and secure the victory.
Stanford hit UCLA's pitching well with seven Stanford players combining for nine hits. Victoria Molina was electric at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in the fourth inning and a two-RBI single in the bottom of the fifth. Kylie Sorenson also had a nice night, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double.
Highlights of Stanford's game at UCLA.
Sorenson helped highlight a quality defensive performance for the Cardinal at shortstop. Jessica Plaza provided the defensive highlight of the night with a diving catch in foul territory to end the third inning.
Carolyn Lee (6-11) got the start in the circle and overcame a challenging first two innings to help guide Stanford back into the game. She settled in nicely and shut down the Bruins in the third through fifth innings. Haley Snyder came in as relief in the sixth and picked up two strikeouts in the inning.
Stanford will look to even the series Sunday at 6 p.m. (PT). The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.