STANFORD, Calif. – A grand slam by Oregon State in the top of the fifth inning turned a close battle into a run-rule victory for the Beavers Saturday night as Stanford dropped a 9-1 decision in five innings.
The Cardinal (12-16, 0-5 Pac-12) found itself in an early 5-0 hole after the first two and a half innings but Kylie Sorenson hit a home run in the bottom of the third to cut the Beavers' (23-9-1, 3-5 Pac-12) advantage to 5-1.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Stanford pitcher Haley Snyder (6-7) got the first two Oregon State batters out in the top half of the fifth but the Beavers rallied to load the bases with two outs. Natalie Hampton stepped to the plate and hit a grand slam to right field to blow the game open for Oregon State.
Stanford got two runners on in the bottom of the fifth inning but could not find the hit needed to break through and extend the game.
Snyder went all five innings, permitting nine runs on 12 hits and four walks.
Sorenson provided a majority of Stanford's offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run. Kayla Bonstrom reached base twice after drawing a pair of walks.
Stanford will look to take the series finale Sunday at Noon (PT).