BERKELEY, Calif. – Senior Carolyn Lee went the distance and Stanford's offense exploded for four seventh-inning runs to guide Stanford (20-4, 1-0 Pac-12) to a 9-3 victory over California (20-10, 1-3 Pac-12) on Saturday in the Card's Pac-12 opener from Levine-Fricke Field.
The victory over Cal was the first for Stanford since earning a 14-13 win on March 14, 2014. The victory also pushes the Card to within a win of its first Pac-12 series victory since sweeping Cal in 2013.
Lee allowed three runs (two earned) over her seven innings of work, surrendering nine hits and just one walk while striking out eight. The native of San Ramon, Calif. threw 117 pitches to upend the Golden Bears in her fourth complete game of the year. The victory pushed Lee to 6-2 on the season.
Here's how @calee97 put a bow on the ??victory over ??!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/HMe1Wvskqc
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 24, 2019
Offensively, Stanford scored nine runs on 13 hits, including three hits from junior Teaghan Cowles. The leadoff batter in the Cardinal order scored once and drove in one. The third, fourth and fifth hitters in the order combined to bat 6-for-10 with four runs scored and two RBI. Montana Dixon went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two walks, while Whitney Burks batted 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI and her fourth homer of the year – a monster two-run blast over the scoreboard in the fifth inning.
Here's that ??from @_whitneyalexis that extended the Cardinal lead to 5-1!
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 23, 2019
We're in the bottom of the 5th on @Pac12Network.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/jzEVhT9rh7
The Cardinal got on the board first by way of three runs in the second inning. Stanford worked deep into counts throughout the day, and the patience led to back-to-back walks in the second, with the latter forcing in a run. The Cardinal then took advantage of an error en route to two more runs, as Destiny Blueford was unable to corral a ground ball off the bat of Cowles.
Junior Kristina Inouye joined Burks with multiple RBI, driving in a pair with a double to highlight the four-run seventh that left Stanford with a 9-2 cushion headed into the final half of the frame. Inouye has now accumulated a team-best 22 RBI this season.
Cal starter Zoe Conley was saddled with the loss after allowing nine runs (seven earned) on 13 hits and seven walks over seven innings. Conley, who fell to 6-6 with the loss, struck out six.
Stanford will look to secure the series victory on Sunday at 2 p.m.