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#25 Stanford (28-6, 5-1 Pac-12) vs. Utah (13-24, 2-7 Pac-12)
Friday • 7 p.m. PT • Stanford, Calif.
TV • Pac-12 Networks
Live Statistics • GoStanford.com
Saturday • 3 p.m. PT • Stanford, Calif.
Live Stream • Pac-12 Plus
Live Statistics • GoStanford.com
Sunday • 12 p.m. PT • Stanford, Calif.
TV • Pac-12 Networks
Live Statistics • GoStanford.com
QUICK HITS
» Stanford carries a #25 ranking according to USA Softball ... owns the #22 RPI in the nation this week ... is receiving votes in the latest USA Today/NFCA (4) 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 ... 28-6 start is the best since 2010 (29-5) ... started Pac-12 play 3-0 for the first time in program history ... has already surpassed its overall (24) and Pac-12 (3) win totals from 2018 ... five Pac-12 wins equal the previous three years combined ... has had 17 games decided by two or fewer runs this year (15-2), including going 11-2 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 ... is batting .358 with nine doubles, four triples and three homers over the last five games ... has scored 70 runs while hitting .357 with 23 doubles, six triples and six homers over the last 10 games ... has delivered 68 two-out RBI, including 11 against Santa Clara on April 9, and is batting .294 (86x293) when hitting with two out ... is 16-for-44 (.364) with the bases loaded (2 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR) ... has put the leadoff hitter on base 46% of the time (97-for-213) ... leads the Pac-12 in triples (20) and is first in the nation in triples per game (.59) ... 20 triples rank tied for first in Stanford single-season record book ... has scored first in 21 of the 34 games this year, and is 20-1 when scoring first ... has swiped 35 bases in 42 attempts to place sixth in the Pac-12 in stolen bases ... ranks fourth in the Pac-12 in ERA (2.48) ... is 2-0 against ranked opponents this year ... is 16-0 when hitting a home run this year.
» Whitney Burks is batting .364 (16x44) with runners aboard ... has reached in 11 straight games ... has scored 11 runs over the last 10 games.
» Teaghan Cowles has hit safely in 12 straight games (.619, 26x42, 8 R, 5 2B, 2 3B, HR, 7 RBI) and 22 of the last 24 overall ... 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 ... also garnered Pac-12 Player of the Week on April 1 after batting .688 to guide Stanford to a 4-1 record, including a series win over Oregon, the previous week ... 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 (5) ... batting 19-for-45 (.422) with runners aboard ... is hitting .563 (9x16) and slugging .813 over the last five games while batting .618 (21x34) with seven runs scored, five doubles, two triples and a homer (.971 SLG%) over the last 10 games.
» Montana Dixon reached in 10 straight games from February 22-March 8 and has reached in each of the last 14 ... has been hit by nine pitches this year to rank first in the Pac-12 ... is hitting .368 (14x38) with runners in scoring position ... is 12-for-32 (.375) when hitting with two out.
» Maddy Dwyer is 10-4 with a 2.40 ERA and one save over 18 appearances (15 starts) ... is ranked 11th in the Pac-12 in ERA.
» Hannah Howell has reached safely in 22 of her 26 games played ... is hitting .444 (12x27) with the bases empty ... hitting .407 (11x27) with two out ... has scored nine runs while hitting .412 (14x34) over the last 10 games.
» Kristina Inouye is 15-for-40 (.375) with runners in scoring position ... launched a grand slam vs. Cal Poly on March 3 ... is tied for sixth in the Pac-12 in triples (3).
» Emily Klingaman has reached base in 29 of her 34 games played this year, including 11 straight from March 1-24 ... has hit .438 (7x16) over the last five games.
» Carolyn Lee ranks 10th in the Pac-12 in ERA (2.36)
» Kiana Pancino is 7-0 with six saves and a 2.18 ERA over 22 appearances (one start) ... leads the Pac-12 and is second in the nation in saves (6) ... ranks eighth 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 11 of her 19 hits go for extra bases (seven 2B, two 3B, two HR) ... is hitting .462 (6x13) with a double, a triple and three RBI over the last five games ... has driven in 12 runs with four doubles, two triples and a homer over the last 10 games.
» 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 third in the Pac-12 in triples (4) ... was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on March 5 ... is hitting .467 (7x15) with six runs scored, two doubles, a triple, a home run and three RBI over the last five games ... has scored 11 runs while hitting .464 (13x28) with eight RBI over the last 10 games.
THIS WEEK
Stanford will return to Pac-12 play this weekend, welcoming Utah to Smith Family Stadium for a three-game series beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. as part of Cardinalpalooza, while Sunday will commence at Noon. The Friday and Sunday games against the Utes will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.
LAST TIME OUT
No. 25 Stanford matched a season high with 13 runs on 15 hits on Tuesday en route to running away with a 13-0 shutout victory over Santa Clara. The Cardinal combined for six extra-base hits, including a grand slam from freshman Taylor Gindlesperger for her first career round-tripper. Junior Montana Dixon also homered, while Teaghan Cowles and Emily Schultz contributed triples to push Stanford to 20 three-baggers on the season. Overshadowed by the outpouring of run support, three Stanford pitchers combined to toss a two-hit shutout. Senior Carolyn Lee got the start and allowed just two hits and a walk over 2.1 innings of work. Sophomore Maddy Dwyer went the next 1.2 innings before freshman Molly Millar shut the door in the fifth to seal the run-rule win. Dwyer was credited with the victory, moving to 10-4 on the season.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
April 12 vs. Utah
» Make your own poster or visor at the Athletics table to show your Stanford spirit and support the Cardinal.
» Pick up the second set of Stanford softball trading cards at the Stanford Athletics table next to the press box.
April 13 vs. Utah (Cardinalpalooza)
» Make your own poster or visor at the Athletics table to show your Stanford spirit and support the Cardinal.
» Enjoy a free petting zoo outside the main entrance of Smith Family Stadium from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
» Pick up a phone fan at the Stanford Athletics table next to the press box, while supplies last.
» All kids 6th grade and under are invited to run the bases and get high fives from the team after the game.
April 14 vs. Utah
» Come to the game and find a free shirt on your seat, courtesy of Stanford Medicine.
» Get your face painted for free from 11 AM - 1 PM.
» Stick around for postgame autographs with the team on the walkway behind the first base side.
WINS FOR THE AGES
Stanford has picked up a few historic wins over the last three weeks, collecting its first win over Cal on March 23 since earning a 14-13 win on March 14, 2014. The comeback victory on March 24 also secured the Card's first Pac-12 series win since sweeping the Bears from May 3-5, 2013. Stanford's 8-6 victory over Oregon on March 29 pushed the Card to its first 3-0 start to Pac-12 play in program history. That win was also the first for the Cardinal over Oregon since April 6, 2012 – snapping a string of 19 consecutive losses to the Ducks. Stanford finished the series with a 7-6 win over the Ducks to secure its first series win over Oregon since sweeping the Ducks from May 13-15, 2010.
SCOUTING THE UTES
Utah enters the weekend series sporting a 13-24 overall record and a 2-7 mark in the Pac-12. The Utes have dropped 11 straight overall. Most recently, Utah suffered three run-rule losses to then-No. 5 Arizona last weekend. Utah did win the first Pac-12 series of the year at home against Cal. Alyssa Barrera paces the Utah offense, hitting .389 with six doubles, five triples, two homers and 26 RBI. Ally Dickman is batting .352 with six homers to help Utah to a .287 team batting average and 28 round-trippers. Utah has compiled a 6.92 team ERA, with Sydney Sandez sporting a 5.44 ERA and a 6-6 record over 27 appearances and nine starts. Amy Hogue is in her 12th 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 34 games this year. Cowles is hitting a team-best .443 overall, including .457 (32x70) with the bases empty. Furthermore, she is reaching at a .577 clip (30x52) and hitting .447 (21x47) when leading off an inning. In true leadoff at bats to start a game, Cowles is hitting .419 (13x31) with two home runs and a triple.
EARLY RUNS
Despite being outscored 11-0 in the series against Oregon in the first inning, Stanford is still outscoring opponents, 36-18, in the first inning this year. The Card has hit .306 (44x144) with 12 doubles, five triples and four homers in the opening stanza. Reaching base at a .388 clip, Stanford has also drawn 17 walks. Including a 22-9 advantage in the second inning, Stanford is outscoring opponents, 58-27, in the first two frames.
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. Now with five in 2019, Cowles has racked up 15 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 racked up 20 through 34 games this year to lead the Pac-12 and place first in the NCAA in triples per game. The 20 triples rank tied for first in the Stanford single-season record book.
TWO-OUT HITTING
Stanford is hitting .294 (86x293) with two out this year, as three players with at least 25 at bats are batting .375 or better in the situation. Junior Teaghan Cowles paces the way, connecting for a .414 average (12x29), followed by Hannah Howell (.407) and Montana Dixon (.375). Digging deeper into the clutch situation, the Card has delivered 68 two-out RBI, including 11 from Whitney Burks. Dixon is hitting .474 (9x19) with two doubles, a homer and nine RBI when batting with two out and runners in scoring position, guiding Stanford to a .259 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.
PAC-12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK PART II
Cowles earned her second Pac-12 Player of the Week selection of the year on April 1. Cowles went 11-for-16 (.688) with three runs scored, three doubles, a triple and a homer to finish with a 1.188 slugging percentage to guide Stanford to a 4-1 week that included a series win over Oregon. The native of Ridgefield, Wash. drove in three runs and added four walks to record a .750 on-base percentage. Cowles hit safely in all five games on the week, including posting multiple hits in four of the five. Serving as the leadoff hitter in the order, Cowles saw five of her 11 hits go for extra bases. Over two games against Saint Mary's on March 27, Cowles batted 4-for-6 with a run scored, two doubles and a triple. She would then finish 7-for-10 with two runs scored, a double, a homer and three RBI in the series against Oregon.
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 27 pitches so far this season to rank third in the Pac-12. Junior Montana Dixon leads the way with a Pac-12 high nine hit by pitches.
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 33-14 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 25 through 33 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.
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 35 bases in its first 42 attempts this year. Horeczko is 9-for-9, and Cowles is 7-for-8, 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.
2018 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.