TEMPE, Ariz. – Stanford completed a thrilling seventh-inning comeback against Western Michigan to remain perfect on the season Friday evening at the Tempe Sports Complex.
The Cardinal (3-0) defeated Creighton (1-3) 7-2 before earning a 3-2 victory against the Broncos (1-2).
Stanford had been knocking on the door all game against Western Michigan, leaving runners on base in five of the first six innings, before breaking through in the seventh.
Trailing 2-1 with runners on second and third, Whitney Burks delivered the deciding hit when she hammered a 2-2 pitch to the right-center field gap for a two-RBI single.
"Whitney delivered and delivered in a big way," said Stanford head coach Rachel Hanson. "I'm excited for her and for her to build on that, and excited for the team."
.@_whitneyalexis delivered her ?? clutch hit in the opening 3?? games.
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 11, 2017
She discussed tonight's walk off. #GoStanford ?? pic.twitter.com/CuoP1yIz9c
Whitney Burks discussed her game-winning hit.
Much of Stanford's success on the day can be attributed to outstanding performances in the circle. Carolyn Lee (2-0) was strong against Creighton, going five innings and allowing one run on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Kiana Pancino made her collegiate debut, coming in as relief in the sixth inning and limited the Blue Jays to one run on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts.
"I'm really proud of Carolyn for being a leader among the pitchers as our ace," said Hanson. "She sets the tone and competes well, and gives us a chance to win in every game. Kiana came in and did an excellent job to give us relief and execute well. I was really pleased with her performance."
Nikki Bauer made her collegiate debut against Western Michigan and was electric. The freshman permitted two runs on six hits and four walks with a strikeout in a complete-game victory.
"Nikki had a heck of a day," said Hanson. "We knew she would be a player we could rely on in clutch moments. The kid has ice in her veins. Never any doubt or any worry. She attacked the game the same way, regardless of the situation."
.@Nik_bauer07's thoughts on her debut and her defense making plays. #GoStanford ?? pic.twitter.com/i4NTmvNOsY
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 11, 2017
Nikki Bauer discussed her debut and her defense making plays.
Stanford was led offensively by three freshman. Teaghan Cowles paced the Cardinal (5-for-7, .714) and was followed by Kristina Inouye (5-for-9, .556) and Alyssa Horeczko (3-for-7, .429).
Bessie Noll provided plenty of power with two doubles and a team-high three RBIs.
The Cardinal was excellent defensively. Kylie Sorenson and Inouye locked down the middle of the infield and made multiple quality plays.
"Kylie and Kristina have been solid in the middle-infield," said Hanson. "We know they're going to make the routine plays and they're going to make a couple exceptional plays as well."
Lauren Wegner had a pair of strong games at first base and fielded her position well.
"Lauren is making some great plays that don't show up in the box score and snagging some tough throws for us," said Hanson.
Stanford had its opportunities early against Creighton but was unable to find the hit needed to break through. The Cardinal left two runners stranded in each of the first two innings and left the bases loaded in the third.
Stanford broke through in the top of the fourth inning. Horeczko picked up her second infield single of the game and scored on a wild play when Kylie Sorenson singled to third base.
Noll doubled to left field to bring in Sorenson and extend the lead to, 2-0.
The Cardinal had its lead cut in half in the bottom half of the inning but responded well by posting five runs in the top of the fifth.
Inouye singled with the bases loaded to get the scoring going. Sorenson followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to bring in another run and make the score, 4-1.
Cowles delivered a two-RBI single up the middle and was brought home on an RBI-double by Noll to give Stanford a commanding 7-1 lead.
Pancino entered the game in relief and surrendered a run but did well to keep the Bluejays off the bases and secure the win.***Stanford was nearly a victim of missed opportunities against Western Michigan. The Cardinal left at least one runner on base in all but one inning. Stanford hit the ball hard all game but often saw their hits go directly to the defense.
Stanford faced an early deficit when Western Michigan produced a pair of hits to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Bauer settled in after the first inning, retiring three-of-four batters in the second through fifth innings, allowing just two hits in that span.
Stanford ran into a bit of trouble in the top of the sixth inning after Western Michigan led off with a home run to double its lead to, 2-0. The Broncos loaded the bases with no outs.
However, Bauer forced a ground ball to second base and Inouye initiated a 4-2-3 double play to prevent a run from scoring. Bauer forced another ground ball to second in the following at bat to get out of the jam.
The Cardinal continued to impress on defense with a second double play in the top of the seventh to end the inning.
Stanford hit the ball well and reached base in five of the first six innings but could not find the hit needed to break through until the seventh.
Inouye reached base on an error with one out and advanced to second on a single by Sorenson. Cowles followed with a single of her own to load the bases. Noll brought Inouye in on a sacrifice fly to cut Western Michigan's lead to, 2-1.
Burks provided the finishing touch in the next at bat, crushing a two-strike pitch to the right-center field gap to score the winning runs.
Stanford will look to continue its momentum Saturday when it takes on Purdue at 2 p.m. (PT).