TUCSON, Ariz. – No. 24 Stanford dropped a 13-2 decision in five innings to No. 7 Arizona, Saturday, in the series finale at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
Arizona (38-7, 15-0 Pac-12) won its 20th straight game to complete the sweep of the Cardinal (30-10, 7-5 Pac-12). Taylor McQuillin earned the win in the circle for the Wildcats to move to 17-5. Stanford sophomore Maddy Dwyer took the loss, dropping to 11-6.
Stanford junior Kristina Inouye tripled in the top of the fourth inning to score freshman Emily Klingaman from first. Klingaman's base-hit was the first of the game for the Cardinal. It was the fourth triple of the season for Inouye and the 22nd for Stanford this season – extending its school record.
Freshman shortstop Emily Young led off the fifth inning with a solo home run into the left field stands. It marked the third homer of the year for the rookie. Freshman Taylor Gindlesperger and junior Teaghan Cowles also registered hits in the fifth, but the Cardinal rally fell short.
T5 » ?? 13, ?? 2
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 20, 2019
Young homers to lead off the fifth! It is the third or the season for the freshman.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/h4pVFCXaUJ
Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second as left fielder Hannah Martinez hit a rocket up the middle. Klingaman laid out at second base to stop it from going into the outfield, but Wildcat designated player Hillary Edior was able to round the bases and score from second.
The Wildcats added to their lead in the bottom of the third as Alyssa Palomino Cardoza hit a solo shot just over the center field wall.
Senior Carolyn Lee took over in the circle in the bottom of the third with one on and no outs. With the bases loaded, Arizona's Malia Martinez hit a stand-up double to right center field, scoring Reyna Carranco and Jessie Harper.
Catcher Dejah Mulipola was brought home as Rylee Pierce drew a bases-loaded walk for Arizona. Hannah Martinez then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Malia Martinez and make it 6-0 in favor of the Wildcats.
With one out and the bases loaded still in the bottom of the third, Lee was pulled and replaced by junior Nikki Bauer. The Wildcats continued their rally as Palomino Cardoza hit a single through the right side to score pinch runner Riley Kuderca and Carranco hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring home Pierce. Harper then hit an RBI double through the left side to score Jenna Kean.
With the bases still loaded, Malia Martinez hit a grand slam to left field to make it 13-0 Arizona. In total, the Wildcats scored 12 runs on six hits in the bottom of the third.
Up next, Stanford plays its final nonconference game at Fresno State on Tuesday.