FULLERTON, Calif. - Freshman Maddy Dwyer did not allow an earned run in 6.1 innings of relief, and freshman Carmina Nicolas raced home with the winning run in the ninth inning to lift Stanford softball to a 3-2 walk-off win over Iowa on Friday.
In the second inning of the international tie-breaker, sophomore Hannah Howell lofted a fly ball to left. Nicolas tagged up from third and beat the throw home as Stanford (12-7) won for the sixth time in the last seven games, and improved to 2-0 at the Judi Garman Classic at Fullerton's Anderson Family Field.
Dwyer, who entered with the bases loaded in the third inning, allowed just three hits, struck out three, and has not allowed an earned run in her last 20.1 innings.
Stanford opened the scoring in the first. Alyssa Horeczko chopped a single through the middle to lead off the frame, and then stole second and third. Montana Dixon lifted a one-out fly ball to right, and Horeczko tagged up to open the scoring.
Iowa (4-6) loaded the bases in the top of the third against starter Kiana Pancino, who allowed just two hits and one run in 2.2 innings. Dwyer entered in relief and the Hawkeyes tied the game after a hit-by-pitch. Dwyer escaped the jam with a strikeout and the game remained tied through the seventh.
?? has now won 6 of 7.
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 3, 2018
W-W-W-L-W-W-W
Best 7-game stretch for the Cardinal since Feb. 7-14, 2015 #GoStanford
The tie-breaker rule took effect in the eighth inning, and Iowa singled the runner home from second immediately. Dwyer retired the next three to keep Stanford within one.
The Cardinal tied the game in the home half. Teaghan Cowles was the runner at second, and came home on a single up the middle by Whitney Burks.
In the ninth, Dixon capitalized on a failed squeeze attempt and got the Hawkeyes runner into a rundown between third and home. Dixon eventually chased down the out and the Cardinal held Iowa scoreless.
That set up the home half, where Nicolas went in as the pinch runner at second. Lauren Wegner bunted her over to set up the game-winner by Howell.
Howell had the sac fly and Nicolas raced to the plate to beat to the throw home ?? A walk off win in the ninth! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/kqEaquU9j6
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 3, 2018
All six of Stanford's hits were singles by six different players.
Stanford was supposed to take on host Cal State Fullerton in the nightcap of a doubleheader, but that game was postponed due to rain.
The Cardinal wraps up the tournament on Saturday against Loyola Marymount at 12:30 p.m. PT, and Michigan State at 3 p.m. PT.
#GoStanford