STANFORD, Calif. - No. 24 Stanford (25-5, 3-1 Pac-12) secured a Pac-12 series victory over Oregon (13-18, 1-8) on Sunday, completing the second come-from-behind win of the three-game set after scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth to claim a 7-6 victory.
The Cardinal trailed 5-0 headed into the bottom of the fourth, but scored twice in the fourth and three times in the fifth to draw back even at 5-5. After allowing a run in the top of the sixth, the Cardinal responded with the two sixth-inning runs to capture the series.
Freshman Emily Young sparked the comeback effort on Sunday, launching a two-run homer out to left field in the bottom of the fourth to run cut the lead to three at 5-2. Stanford did all the damage in the fifth with two out, as Whitney Burks reached in front of an RBI-double from Hannah Howell. Young jumped on the first pitch of her at bat on the ensuing play, lofting an RBI-single into left field and ending up at third base on a throwing error from left fielder Cherish Burks. That extra base proved huge, as Young would ultimately score the tying run on a passed ball one play later.
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— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 31, 2019
Emily Young connects for a two-run homer to put the Card on the board and cut into the deficit.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/xxtgH4gYMV
Young finished the game 2-for-3 with the home run, two runs scored and three RBI.
Following an RBI-single from April Utecht in the Oregon half of the sixth, Stanford once again answered the bell, as Alyssa Horeczko singled to centerfield to lead off the frame. Teaghan Cowles followed with a hit of her own to put the tying run aboard, and Emily Klingaman bunted both runners into scoring position. Kristina Inouye took advantage of the opportunity, lofting a. sacrifice fly into centerfield to knot the tally at 6-6 before consecutive wild pitches allowed Cowles to scamper home with the game-winning run.
Carrying all the momentum, and a lead for the first time in the game, Stanford retired the side in order in the seventh to secure the win. Junior Kiana Pancino was credited with the victory after tossing the final 4.0 innings and allowing one run on two hits and three walks with five strikeouts. The victory moved Pancino to 7-0 on the season, while Maddie MacGrandle fell to 3-7 with the loss for the Ducks. MacGrandle was charged with five runs over 1.1 innings of work after relieving lefty Jordan Dail who got the start and went 4.2 innings.
Stanford will now prepare to host Sacramento State in a doubleheader on Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m.