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#24 Stanford (23-4, 2-0 Pac-12) vs. Oregon (12-6, 0-6 Pac-12)
Friday • 7 p.m. PT • Stanford, Calif.
Live Stream • Stanford Live Stream
Live Statistics • GoStanford.com
Saturday • 2 p.m. PT • Stanford, Calif.
Live Stream • Stanford Live Stream
Live Statistics • GoStanford.com
Sunday • 1 p.m. PT • Stanford, Calif.
Live Stream • Stanford Live Stream
Live Statistics • GoStanford.com
QUICK HITS
» Stanford carries a #24 ranking according to USA Softball ... owns the #18 RPI in the nation this week ... is receiving votes in the latest USA Today/NFCA (32) poll ... earned a national ranking (#22 according to Softball America) on March 5 for the first time since April 1, 2014 (#24 in NFCA and USA Softball) ... won a two-game series at Cal for it's first Pac-12 series win since sweeping Cal from May 3-5, 2013 ... has had 13 games decided by two or fewer runs this year (11-2), including going 8-2 in one-run contests ... won 12 straight games from February 21-March 8 ... 12-game win streak was the longest since the 2014 squad began the year 13-0 ... 23-4 start is the best since 2012 (24-3) ... has delivered 52 two-out RBI and is batting .290 (67x231) when hitting with two out ... is 11-for-29 (.379) with the bases loaded (2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR) ... has put the leadoff hitter on base 44% of the time (73-for-168) ... leads the Pac-12 in triples (15) and is second in the nation in triples per game (.56) ... 15 triples are fifth in Stanford single-season record book ... has scored first in 19 of the 27 games this year, and is 18-1 when scoring first ... has swiped 34 bases in 40 attempts to place fifth in the Pac-12 in stolen bases ... ranks fourth in the Pac-12 in ERA (1.93) ... is 2-0 against ranked opponents this year ... is 13-0 when hitting a home run this year.
» Whitney Burks has homered in three of her last six games ... is hitting .500 (4x8) with eight runs scored, two homers, a double, six RBI and nine walks over the last five games ... has batted .615 (8x13) with three homers, nine runs scored and 10 RBI over her last six games played ... is batting .406 (13x32) with runners aboard.
» Teaghan Cowles was named Pac-12 and Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week on March 5 after hitting .818 with an .889 OB% and 1.455 SLG% at the Stanford Invitational ... raised her batting average 102 points over five games from March 1-3 (.271 to .373) ... hit safely in 10 straight games from February 22-March 8 (.500, 15x30, 16 R, 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI) ... is tied for first in the Pac-12 in triples (4) ... is hitting .611 (11x18) over the last five games and .471 (16x34) with 10 runs scored, two doubles, two triples and a homer over the last 10 games.
» Montana Dixon reached in 10 straight games from February 22-March 8 ... has been hit by seven pitches this year to rank tied for second in the Pac-12 ... is hitting .400 (12x30) with runners in scoring position ... is 12-for-30 (.400) when hitting with two out ... is batting .500 (7x14) with five runs scored and three doubles over the last five games.
» Maddy Dwyer is 8-2 with a 1.85 ERA and one save over 14 appearances (13 starts) ... ranks seventh in the Pac-12 in ERA.
» Taylor Gindlesperger is 6-for-7 in stolen bases.
» Alyssa Horeczko is a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen bases ... ranks sixth in the Pac-12 in stolen bases ... is hitting .355 (11x31) with runners on base.
» Hannah Howell has reached safely in 17 of her 19 games played ... batting .444 (8x18) and reaching at a .444 clip over the last five games.
» Kristina Inouye is 13-for-32 (.406) with runners in scoring position ... launched a grand slam vs. Cal Poly on March 3 ... is tied for fifth in the Pac-12 in triples (3).
» Emily Klingaman has reached base in 23 of her 27 games played this year, including 11 straight from March 1-24.
» Carolyn Lee ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in ERA (1.58) ... is 3-1 with a 1.22 ERA over her last four starts, striking out 23 in 23 innings of work.
» Kiana Pancino is 6-0 with five saves and a 1.65 ERA over 17 appearances (one start) ... leads the Pac-12 and is second in the nation in saves (5) ... ranks sixth in the Pac-12 in ERA.
» Emily Schultz went 5-for-6 with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI over a doubleheader against Saint Mary's on March 27 ... has seen eight of her 11 hits go for extra bases (six doubles, two home runs).
» Emily Young connected for a two-out inside-the-park grand slam in the bottom of the third against Seattle University on February 9 ... is tied for fifth in the Pac-12 in triples (3) ... was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on March 5 ... is hitting .414 (12x29) with two doubles, a triple and eight runs scored over the last 10 games.
THIS WEEK
No. 24 Stanford continues a string of seven games in seven days this weekend, hosting Oregon in Pac-12 play beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. Saturday's game two is scheduled for 2 p.m. before Sunday's finale at 1 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
Freshman Emily Schultz batted 5-for-6 with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI over a doubleheader to guide Stanford to a pair of run-rule walk-off victories over Saint Mary's on Wednesday afternoon. Schultz went 3-for-3 with three doubles and three RBI while hitting out of the eighth spot in the order in game one, an 8-0 victory in five innings, before launching a three-run homer as part of a 2-for-3 effort in the finale, an 8-0 victory in six frames. Sophomore Maddy Dwyer picked up the victory in both games on Wednesday, improving to 8-2 with the decisions.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
March 29 vs. Oregon
» Make your own poster or visor at the Athletics table to show your Stanford spirit and support the Cardinal.
» Cardinal Kids Day - Fans can receive up to two (2) free youth tickets with the purchase of one (1) paid adult ticket.
» Pick up the first set of Stanford softball trading cards at the Stanford Athletics table next to the press box.
March 30 vs. Oregon
» Get your face painted for free from 1 PM - 3 PM.
» The first 250 kids in attendance will receive free ice cream.
March 31 vs. Oregon
» The first 300 fans receive free sunglasses at the Stanford Athletics table next to the press box.
» Stick around for postgame autographs with the team on the walkway behind the first base side.
WINS FOR THE AGES
Stanford ended a few droughts over the weekend at California, picking up its first win over Cal since earning a 14-13 win on March 14, 2014. Sunday's comeback victory also secured the Card's first Pac-12 series win since sweeping Cal from May 3-5, 2013.
SCOUTING THE DUCKS
Oregon enters the weekend sporting a 12-16 overall record and a 0-6 mark in the Pac-12. The Ducks snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 5-0 victory over Pacific on Wednesday. Oregon has been swept in a pair of Pac-12 series this year, first at #12 Arizona and then at home against #7 Washington. Jasmine Sievers paces the offense with a .348 average, six doubles, a triple and two homers, while April Utecht has launched five homers to the tune of a team-best 18 RBI. Oregon is hitting .259 as a team this year. In the circle, Jordan Dail has amassed a 3.75 ERA and a 10-8 record over 23 appearances and 18 starts. Dail has thrown 123.1 innings this season. Melyssa Lombardi is in her first season at the helm of the program.
QUITE THE LEADER
Junior Teaghan Cowles has emerged as a stellar leadoff option at the top of the order, hitting first in each of the 27 games this year. Cowles is hitting a team-best .396 overall, including .434 (23x53) with the bases empty. Furthermore, she is reaching at a .579 clip (22x38) when leading off an inning. In true leadoff at bats to start a game, Cowles is hitting .375 (9x24) with two home runs and a triple.
EARLY RUNS
Stanford is outscoring opponents, 31-4, in the first inning this year. The Card has hit .316 (37x117) with nine doubles, four triples and four homers in the opening stanza. Reaching base at a .400 clip, Stanford has also drawn 15 walks. On the other side, Stanford's pitching staff has amassed a 1.04 ERA over the 27 first innings. Including a 19-7 advantage in the second inning, Stanford is outscoring opponents, 50-11, in the first two frames.
TWO-OUT HITTING
Stanford is hitting .290 (67x231) with two out this year, as three players with at least 15 at bats are batting .360 or better in the situation. Junior Hannah Howell paces the way, connecting for a .444 average (8x18), followed by Montana Dixon (.400) and Teaghan Cowles (.360). Digging deeper into the clutch situation, the Card has delivered 52 two-out RBI, including nine apiece from Dixon and Whitney Burks. Dixon is hitting .529 (9x17) with two doubles, a homer and nine RBI when batting with two out and runners in scoring position, guiding Stanford to a .274 average as a team.
COWLES NAMED PAC-12 & NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
After batting .818 to guide Stanford to a 5-0 record the previous week, junior Teaghan Cowles was tabbed Pac-12 and Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week on March 5. The National Player of the Week selection was the first for the Cardinal since Kelsey Stevens captured the honor from the NFCA on February 26, 2013. Cowles, who shared the honor with NC State's Brigette Nordberg, also became the ninth player in Stanford history to claim a National Player of the Week selection. Cowles went 9-for-11 over the five games, including a victory over then-No. 23 Northwestern on March 1. Serving as the leadoff hitter in the order, she reached base at an .889 clip and slugged 1.455 while collecting 11 runs scored, two triples, a homer and two RBI. Cowles' on-base percentage was strengthened further by six walks and one hit-by-pitch. Once aboard, Cowles was 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts. The native of Ridgefield, Wash. batted 3-for-3 with four runs scored, a double, a homer and two RBI against Montana on March 1, finishing a double short of the cycle. She closed the week with a perfect 2-for-2 day on March 3 against Cal Poly, scoring four times and drawing three walks – two intentional. All told, Cowles reached safely in 16 of 18 plate appearances, including 15 of her final 16.
YOUNG TABBED TOP FRESHMAN
Freshman Emily Young garnered Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors on March 5, marking the first selection for a Stanford player since Teaghan Cowles was tabbed following the first week of the 2017 season. Young batted .462 (6-for-13) with three runs scored, two doubles, a triple and three RBI en route to being named Freshman of the Week. Stanford's starting shortstop posted a pair of multi-hit games, including finishing 2-for-2 with a double, a triple and three RBI against Montana on March 1. The native of Mason, Ohio closed the week by batting 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a double in Stanford's 13-5 victory over Cal Poly on March 3. Over the course of five Stanford victories, Young compiled a .769 slugging percentage and a .462 on-base percentage.
DON'T RUB IT
Stanford led the Pac-12 in hit by pitches in 2018, drawing 56. That trend has leaked a bit into 2019, as the Card has been hit by 20 pitches so far this season to rank fourth in the Pac-12. Junior Montana Dixon leads the way with seven hit by pitches, placing tied for second in the Pac-12.
SIXTH INNING IS BIG
Stanford's 5-0 record at the LSU Invitational was highlighted by big sixth innings. The Card outscored opponents 14-2 in the sixth inning that weekend, including posting seven runs in the sixth against #7 LSU and six more against Michigan. Overall this season, Stanford is outscoring opposition 29-10 in the sixth.
ALLISTER AT TIGER PARK
While she is 5-0 at LSU's Tiger Park as head coach of Stanford, Jessica Allister's success in that venue precedes her move to The Farm. Allister went 9-0 over two trips to Baton Rouge while leading Minnesota, finishing 5-0 in 2014 and 4-0 in 2017, to accumulate a 14-0 overall record at one of the toughest venues to play in the nation.
HAVE A DAY, INOUYE
Junior infielder Kristina Inouye guided the way for Stanford offensively on Opening Day, finishing the two games hitting .833 (5-for-6) with two runs scored, a double, a triple and nine RBI. She slugged 1.333 and reached at an .857 clip. Overall on the weekend, Inouye batted .467 and drove in a Pac-12 best 11 runs while slugging .867. The native of Huntington Beach, Calif. posted 25 RBI a year ago, but already owns 22 through 27 games this year. She has twice totaled five-plus RBI this season, notching six on February 8 vs. Kansas, and five against Cal Poly on March 3 - four coming by way of a grand slam.
MAKE IT A TRIPLE
Teaghan Cowles had six triples in 2018, tying for second all-time for a single season in Stanford program history. It was the most in a year since Cassandra Roulund also had six in 2013. Cowles did not triple over the first three weekends of this season, but recorded a pair in five games played at the Stanford Invitational. With the four in 2019, Cowles has racked up 14 triples in her first three years on The Farm - third-most all-time. It seems the triple has become contagious in 2019, as Stanford has already racked up 15 through 27 games this year to lead the Pac-12 and place second in the NCAA in triples per game. The 15 triples rank fifth in the Stanford single-season record book.
STOLEN BASE A STAPLE
Stanford's offense got a serious boost from its success on the basepaths last year, ranking fourth in the Pac-12 with 55 stolen bases in 67 attempts. In fact, the Cardinal's 55 steals were more than the entire production from the last three seasons combined (8-10 in 2017, 4-5 in 2016 and 22-26 in 2015 for a total of 34 steals in 41 tries). The running game was anchored by Teaghan Cowles, who was fifth in the conference going 18-19. Alyssa Horeczko was 12-16, ranking ninth in the Pac-12, to give Stanford two players with at least 10 steals for the first time since 2014. The Card has seemingly picked up where it left off, swiping 34 bases in its first 40 attempts this year. Horeczko is 9-for-9, and freshman Taylor Gindlesperger and Cowles are 6-for-7, to lead the way.
BURKS LAUNCHES A PAIR
Senior Whitney Burks connected for a pair of home runs in the season-opener on February 8 against Bradley. The team leader in home runs with five in 2018, Burks wasted no time getting her first in 2019, sending a leadoff shot out to straight-away centerfield in the second inning before capping an eight-run seventh with a three-run home run. The native of Fairfax Station, Va. finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs scored, the four RBI and a pair of walks. The multi-homer game was the first of Burks' career, and the first for the Cardinal since Kylie Sorenson hit a pair at Hawaii on March 4, 2016.
A LOOK BACK
Stanford finished the 2018 season with a 24-31 overall record and a 3-21 mark in the Pac-12. It was the most overall and conference wins for the Cardinal since 2014. In fact, after the first weekend of conference play, Stanford had already exceeded its win total from 2017. The Cardinal reached the 20-win mark for the first time since 2014. Among Stanford's highlights were a six-game winning streak in March, the Cardinal's longest since a 13-game unbeaten stretch to open 2014. The Cardinal also earned wins over UCLA and Arizona in the same season for the first time since 2013.
CARD PICKED EIGHTH IN PRESEASON POLL
Stanford has been chosen by the conference coaches to finish eighth in the stacked Pac-12 Conference this season, the league announced on February 5. UCLA, which received five first-place votes and totaled 61 points overall, edged Washington as the favorite to win the Pac-12 title. Washington received four first-place votes and 60 overall points. The Bruins and Huskies are ranked first and second, respectively, in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top-25 poll to open the season. Arizona is tabbed third with 50 points, followed by Arizona State in fourth with 43 points. California and Oregon State share fifth with 31 points, followed by Utah (19), Stanford (17), and reigning Pac-12 Champion Oregon (12) to round out the poll.
FOWKES, WHITE NAMED TO ISRAELI NATIONAL TEAM
Senior outfielder Molly Fowkes was added to the Israeli National Softball Team on January 23, joining a squad that already includes former Stanford standout Leah White. Fowkes, White and their teammates will compete at the European Championships in late June. The top six teams will then move on to compete at an Olympic Qualifying tournament in July. In order to play for Israel, athletes are required to have at least one Jewish parent or grandparent and must travel to Israel to receive dual citizenship.
ALL-REGION RECOGNITION
Teaghan Cowles and Hannah Howell earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West Region third team honors at third base and outfield, respectively, last season. It was the first career honor for both Cowles and Howell.
ACADEMIC ACCOLADES
Stanford led the Pac-12 with nine all-academic picks last year. Carolyn Lee, Victoria Molina and Lauren Wegner were selected to the first team, while Whitney Burks, Teaghan Cowles and Arden Pettit landed on the second team. Alyssa Horeczko, Hannah Howell and Kristina Inouye were honorable mention. Additionally, Lee was a CoSIDA Academic All-District pick.
SINGLE SEASON MARKS
Stanford's 17 triples and .974 team fielding percentage from 2018 both matched the third-best output in a single season in program history, while the Cardinal's 55 stolen bases tied for 10th. Individually, Teaghan Cowles's 18 stolen bases tied for the ninth-best mark in a single season.
ALLISTER RETURNS TO THE FARM
Jessica Allister completed her first season at the helm after being named the Cardinal's fourth head coach on July 18, 2017. Allister arrived on The Farm after serving as the head coach at Minnesota for seven seasons, compiling a 290-107 (.730) overall record. Allister led the Gophers to unprecedented heights in 2017, registering a program-best 56-5 record and earning the first No. 1 national ranking in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll in program history. A second-team All-American in 2004 and three-time all-conference selection, Allister helped guide the Cardinal to four NCAA Women's College World Series appearances in 2001 and 2004. A four-year starting catcher, Allister holds the school record for most games played (266) and graduated among the top-10 in numerous career categories.
MILESTONE FOR ALLISTER
Head coach Jessica Allister registered her 300th career win against Santa Clara on Feb. 25, 2018. Now in her eighth season as a head coach, Allister holds a 314-138 (.695) career record.