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STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford dropped its season finale against No. 3 Oregon on Saturday afternoon, despite standout performances by its seniors in their final game of their collegiate careers.
Bessie Noll and Kylie Sorenson registered two hits apiece, while Lauren Bertoy made multiple quality catches in left field to highlight a day of celebration for the three Cardinal seniors.
The trio concluded their careers with numerous accomplishments on the field and in the classroom. Sorenson led the team in batting for the third time in four years, Noll hit a career-high .311 and Bertoy registered career-bests in nearly every major offensive category.
Each member of the trio was named a 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 selection, making the Cardinal the only Pac-12 program with three honorees.
Sorenson and Noll accounted for all four of Stanford's hits as the Cardinal's offense struggled to produce runs against the Ducks' starting pitcher Megan Kleist (19-3).
Highlights from Stanford's season finale against No. 3 Oregon.
The Ducks (47-6, 17-6 Pac-12) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with five of its first six batters reaching base safely. Shannon Rhodes did most of the damage with a three-run home run to left center field.
Stanford (19-32, 2-22 Pac-12) starting pitcher, Carolyn Lee (8-21), rebounded nicely after the tough start, retiring the two of the next three after the home run to end the inning. Lee kept the Ducks off the board in the second and third innings.
The Cardinal's best opportunity to cut into the early deficit came in the third inning when it loaded the bases with one out. However, a fielder's choice by Bertoy followed by a hard-hit line drive to center field by Teaghan Cowles ended the rally.
Oregon added to its advantage in the following frame, producing three runs on three hits to extend its lead to 7-0. The Ducks put its finishing touches on the run-rule decision with a two-run fifth inning to take a 9-0 lead.
Stanford put the ball in play in the final two innings but was unable to find the gaps and was retired in order in both frames.
The Cardinal will graduate three senior starters but the future remains bright with 17 letterwinners returning and a talented incoming freshman class.