Stanford Cardinal (13-8)
vs.
Wagner Seahawks (2-5) and CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (1-12)
Fri.-Sun., March 9-11 • Stanford Easton Classic
Smith Family Stadium • Stanford, Calif.
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STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford closes out the preseason tournament portion of its schedule this weekend, hosting the Stanford Easton Classic from March 9-11 at Smith Family Stadium.
It's the second home tournament of the season, with Stanford (13-8) slated to play six games total, squaring off against both Wagner (2-5) and CSU Bakersfield (1-12) three times over the three-day stretch. The Cardinal hosted the Stanford Invitational two weeks ago, collecting three wins in four games.
Stanford enters its final week of tournament play with 13 victories, only six shy of last year's overall total. The Cardinal has won 11 of its last 15 games after starting the season 2-4. That includes three wins in four games at last weekend's Judi Garman Classic, with the only loss coming in the form of a walk-off 4-2 defeat to Michigan State.
Three of Stanford's regulars are hitting .320 or higher, with all three also having started every game. Teaghan Cowles leads the Cardinal in batting average (.370) and hits (27), Alyssa Horeczko follows at .362 with a team-best 17 runs scored while Montana Dixon is close behind at .322 with a team-high 23 RBI.
The stolen base continues to be a weapon for Stanford, which leads the Pac-12 with 34 thefts in 42 attempts. In fact, the Cardinal has already matched its production on the basepaths from the last three seasons combined (8-10 in 2017, 4-5 in 2016, 22-26 in 2015 for a total of 34-of-41). Cowles has yet to be caught in 11 tries and ranks second in the conference while Horeczko is 10-of-13.
Meanwhile, the starting pitching continues to give Stanford an opportunity in every game. Maddy Dwyer (0.94 ERA, 82.1 IP, 57 H, 20 BB, 49 K) has racked up three shutouts and six complete games over her first 11 starts. Kiana Pancino (3.14 ERA, 49.0 IP, 33 H, 25 BB, 33 K) has allowed four runs over her last 14.2 innings.
After hosting the Stanford Easton Classic, the Cardinal is idle next week prior to opening Pac-12 play with a three-game series at Utah on March 24.