LOS ANGELES – An explosive third inning propelled Stanford to its first win over UCLA (4-1) since 2014, Sunday, at Easton Family Stadium.
The Cardinal handed third-ranked UCLA (34-3, 9-3 Pac-12) just its third loss of the season and snapped a 13-game skid against the Bruins. It was the highest-ranked win for Stanford since knocking off No. 3 Alabama, 4-1, on Feb. 14, 2015 at Smith Family Stadium.
Freshman Maddy Dwyer started the game in the circle for the Cardinal (21-16, 2-7). She went 3.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Junior Carolyn Lee picked up the win, moving to 2-3. UCLA's Selina Ta'amilo (8-2) took the loss.
A big third inning gave the Cardinal a 4-0 advantage over the Bruins – the largest deficit for UCLA at home this season.
Senior Lauren Wegner led off the third with an infield single. She advanced all the way to third as junior Lauren Frost laid down a sacrifice bunt, but reached on a throwing error by UCLA catcher Paige Halstead and advanced to second. After third baseman Teaghan Cowles was intentionally walked, sophomore Hannah Howell drove in the first run of the game with a single to left field.
Still with no outs in the third, shortstop Kristina Inouye cleared the bases with a single to left. A fielding error by UCLA's Aaliyah Jordan allowed Cowles to score and Inouye to get to second.
UCLA avoided the shutout, scoring a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jordan singled through the right side, bringing home shortstop Kinsley Washington.
Stanford returns to The Farm for a midweek matchup against Saint Mary's on April 11 before hosting Oregon State, April 13-15, on Pac-12 Networks.
