STANFORD, Calif. - No. 25 Stanford (30-7, 7-2 Pac-12) used a six-run second inning to back a strong combined pitching performance from Carolyn Lee and Kiana Pancino in a 6-2 series-clinching win over Utah (14-26, 3-9 Pac-12) on Sunday from Smith Family Stadium.
The Cardinal sent 10 batters to the plate in the second, scoring the six runs on four hits and one error. A one-out double from Emily Young got the ball rolling before Emily Schultz walked to put two aboard. A wild pitch advanced the runners and set the table for an RBI-ground ball to second from Taylor Gindlesperger. The throw to the plate on that play was wide of home, allowing a second run to score and leaving Gindlesperger at second. Following another wild pitch, Teaghan Cowles drew a walk and stole second. Utah managed to induce a ground ball for an out at home on the ensuing play, but Stanford wouldn't let the inning die without more production.
Continuing a season-long trend, Stanford swung the bat well with two, as Kristina Inouye, who collected two hits on the afternoon, delivered a two-RBI single to bring home the third and fourth runs. After a Montana Dixon single once again put two runners on, Whitney Burks capped the scoring run with a two-RBI single of her own – leaving the Card with a 6-0 lead and all the run support it would need the rest of the way.
B2 » ?? 6, ???? 0
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 14, 2019
Someone should check the wall for a hole after this ?? from @_whitneyalexis!
Cardinal with a 6? in the 2nd on @Pac12Network!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/qYEeMt6eL5
Lee got the start for Stanford and picked up the win after tossing the first four innings while allowing just one run on four hits with three strikeouts. The native of San Ramon, Calif. improved to 10-3 with the victory. Junior Kiana Pancino took the Card the rest of the way, logging three innings and allowing just one run on two hits with two strikeouts to pick up her eighth save of the year.
M2 » ?? 0, ???? 0@calee97 strikes out the side in the 2nd!
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 14, 2019
Catch the rest of this one against Utah on @Pac12Network!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/JqtO7PdA9e
Stanford played stellar defense throughout the contest, eventually limiting Utah to the two runs on six hits.
The Cardinal defense has been turning in web ??s all day on @Pac12Network!#NCAASoftball #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/4Rhl3eSkVg
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 14, 2019
Stanford's 30-7 record is the best for the Card since opening the 2010 season at 30-7. In addition, the Cardinal's 7-2 mark in Pac-12 play is the best since the 2005 squad went 8-2 to begin the conference slate.
The Cardinal will return to action on April 18 when it opens a three-game Pac-12 series at Arizona.