STANFORD, Calif. – Kylie Sorenson and Victoria Molina contributed two hits and an RBI apiece but it was not enough against No. 15 Utah as Stanford fell, 11-4, Saturday afternoon.
The Utes (23-7, 5-2 Pac-12) hit a grand slam in the first inning and took a commanding 8-0 lead through the first three innings. The Cardinal (16-15, 0-5 Pac-12) did not quit and battled back with a four-run fourth inning to cut Utah's lead to 8-4.
Bessie Noll, Lauren Bertoy, Arden Pettit and Molina hit consecutive singles in the fourth inning to get the four-run rally going. Pettit and Molina's hits included an RBI apiece.
Stanford added an additional run on Molina's hit when Utah's right fielder misplayed the ball and it rolled to the warning track allowing the Cardinal's runner from first to score.
Sorenson singled with two outs later in the inning to bring in the Cardinal's fourth run.
Stanford's best opportunity to continue to cut into Utah's lead came in the sixth inning when it had runners on first and second with one out but the Cardinal could not find the hit needed to break through.
After an early deficit, Stanford battled but couldn't close the gap.
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 2, 2017
Chance again tomorrow. #GoStanford https://t.co/GzlOS8SJcs
Highlights from Stanford's defeat against No. 15 Utah.
Kiana Pancino (4-2) got the start in the circle and ran into trouble immediately with the Utes loading the bases with one out in the first inning. Utah's Heather Bowen stepped to the plate and hit a grand slam to left field.
After the Utes put runners on first and third following the grand slam, Nikki Bauer entered the circle in relief and struck out the next batter to end the inning. Bauer was effective in 6.0 innings of work, producing three strikeouts.
Bauer kept the Utes off the board in the fourth through sixth innings to keep Stanford within striking distance but ran into trouble in the seventh. Utah added three runs to extend its lead to 11-4.
Stanford will look to bounce back Sunday at 2 p.m. in the series finale. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network and live statistics will be available via GoStanford.com.