CORVALLIS, Ore. – Lauren Bertoy threw a runner out at the plate to highlight a strong defensive performance by Stanford but it was not enough as Oregon State won the series-opener, 6-0, Friday afternoon.
The Cardinal's (17-23, 0-13 Pac-12) strong defensive play could not slow down a hot Beavers' (23-18, 5-8 Pac-12) offense that racked up 14 hits and scored at least one run in four of six offensive innings. Stanford had trouble getting out of innings with Oregon State scoring five of its first six runs with two outs.
Stanford's defense was excellent throughout the game with Bertoy providing the highlight of the game, throwing out an Oregon State runner at home in the bottom of the third inning.
With runners on first and second, the Beavers' Alysha Everett hit a bloop single to left field that dropped in front of Bertoy. She fielded the ball with her bare hand and fired home to Arden Pettit who caught the ball on one hop and tagged Oregon State's McKenna Arriola for the out.
Highlights from Stanford's series-opener at Oregon State.
Stanford's offense had trouble capitalizing on opportunities and figuring out Oregon State starting pitcher, Taylor Cotton (9-4), who held the Cardinal to four hits. Stanford left runners on base in five of seven innings, including each of the first four innings.
Kylie Sorenson was a bright spot for the Cardinal at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. Victoria Molina provided a pinch-hit double off the right field wall in the top of the seventh inning.
Kiana Pancino (4-4) got the start in the circle and kept the Cardinal within striking distance early but ran into trouble in the third inning when the Beavers rallied for three runs on two outs. She registered a quick two outs in the fourth inning but fell victim to a solo home run by Shelby Weeks and was replaced by Nikki Bauer.
Bauer did well in relief, holding Oregon State to one run on three hits and no walks with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings.
Trailing 1-0 in the second inning, Stanford's defense came up big when the Beavers loaded the bases with no outs. Pancino forced a ground ball back to the circle, fired home to Pettit who turned a 1-2-3 double play. Pancino got the next batter to pop out to second to get out of the jam.
Lauren Wegner made a nice defensive play on a softly hit ground ball at second base in the fourth inning and Teaghan Cowles made a diving stop at third in the sixth inning to add to the Cardinal's defensive highlight reel.
Stanford will look to even the series Saturday at 1 p.m. (PT). Live statistics will be available via GoStanford.com.