BERKELEY, Calif. – Lauren Bertoy hit a grand slam and Stanford outhit California but it was not quite enough as the Cardinal dropped a 7-4 decision Sunday afternoon.
With Stanford (16-12, 0-2 Pac-12) down 1-0 in the third inning, Bertoy launched the first grand slam of her career over the right-center field wall. She has hit a career-high three home runs this season.
The Golden Bears (19-8, 2-3 Pac-12) cut Stanford's lead to 4-2 in the bottom half of the inning then rallied for five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning – including a grand slam of their own – to take a 7-4 lead.
Stanford loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh inning but could not get the hit needed to erase the deficit.
The Cardinal was strong offensively overall on the day, outhitting California 8-6. Kristina Inouye went 3-for-3 with three singles and a run. Kylie Sorenson produced a double and a run in a 2-for-4 outing.
Four Stanford pitchers made appearances and had trouble at times locating the zone, combining to permit seven walks.
Nikki Bauer got the start and went 2.0 innings before being replaced by Kiana Pancino who lasted 1.1 innings. Haley Snyder entered the game in the fourth inning before being replaced by Kayler Detmer who completed the final 2.0 innings.
Detmer finished the game strong for the Cardinal retiring six-of-seven batters faced.
A strong offensive showing wasn't quite enough today.
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 26, 2017
Chance to get back in the win column tomorrow. #GoStanford https://t.co/aaJrYauBTN
Highlights from Stanford's defeat at California.
Stanford faced an early deficit when California led off with a double in the bottom of the first inning and moved the runner around for a 1-0 lead.
Bertoy put the Cardinal in front in the top of the third inning with her first career grand slam. Kristina Inouye led off the inning with a single, and Sorenson and Teaghan Cowles produced two-out singles to load the bases.
Bertoy hammered the first pitch she saw over the right field fence to give Stanford a 4-1 lead.
The Bears responded immediately with a leadoff home run in the bottom half of the inning to cut the Cardinal's lead to 4-2. California proceeded to load the bases with two outs but Pancino got the next batter to pop out to catcher, Arden Pettit, to get out of the jam.
Stanford ran into trouble in the fourth inning when the Bears loaded the bases again with two outs. After the Cardinal walked in a run, Annie Aldrete hit a grand slam to center field to put California up 7-4.
Stanford had its opportunities in the later innings, generating at least one baserunner in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings but could not get the hit needed to cut into the Bears' lead.
The Cardinal rallied to load the bases in the top of the seventh inning and Bertoy stepped to the plate as the go-ahead run. However, Cal's pitcher, Taurie Pogue, got the strikeout to end the game and secure the victory for the Bears.
Stanford will look to rebound Monday at 3 p.m. (PT) in the series finale. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network and live statistics will be available via GoStanford.com.