STANFORD, Calif. – Kylie Sorenson hit an RBI-single to highlight a challenging offensive outing for Stanford, which dropped its series finale against No. 12 UCLA, 8-1, Sunday afternoon.
The Cardinal (18-27, 1-17 Pac-12) had multiple opportunities throughout the game to bring in runs but could manage just three hits.
The Bruins' Selina Ta'amilo (12-0) kept the Cardinal offense at bay, permitting no runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings of relief.
Carolyn Lee (8-17) made her second consecutive start in the circle for Stanford and did well early but ran into trouble in the third inning.
With the score tied, 1-1, UCLA had runners on second and third with no outs. A sacrifice bunt by Delaney Spaulding brought in a run to give the Bruins a 2-1 advantage. Madeline Jelenicki hit a two-run home run in the following at-bat to double UCLA's lead to 4-1.
Lee regrouped nicely, retiring the next two batters to end the third inning. She returned in the fourth inning and retired three of four batters to keep the deficit at 4-1.
Kiana Pancino entered the game as relief in the fifth inning and Nikki Bauer finished the final 1.1 innings. Bauer did not allow a single UCLA baserunner and registered one strikeout.
Highlights from Stanford's series finale against No. 12 UCLA
Stanford's defense recovered after a challenging showing Saturday that included six errors. The Cardinal did not commit an error on Sunday.
Lauren Bertoy provided the defensive highlight of the game for Stanford in the fifth inning with a running catch against the fence in the left field foul territory.
The Bruins doubled its lead to 8-1 in the sixth inning with four runs – all coming with two outs. Kylee Perez hit a two-RBI single to center field and was followed by a two-run homer by Spaulding.
Stanford had opportunities to get on the board early but could not capitalize. Sorenson reached third base with one out in the first inning but was left stranded.
The Cardinal loaded the bases with a trio of one-out walks in the second inning but could muster only a single run.
Stanford continued to battle and seemed to have a rally going in the sixth inning with a pair of runners reaching base but the Cardinal could not get the hit needed to cut into the 8-1 deficit.
The Cardinal will look to regroup in its final nonconference matchup of the season against Saint Mary's on Wednesday at 6 p.m. (PT) before heading to Seattle for a three-game series against Washington.