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#25 Stanford (27-6) at Santa Clara (8-25)
Tuesday • 6 p.m. PT • Santa Clara, Calif.
Live Statistics • SantaClaraBroncos.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 ... 27-6 start is the best since 2012 (27-6) ... 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 ... 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 ... has delivered 57 two-out RBI and is batting .271 (75x277) when hitting with two out ... is 15-for-42 (.357) with the bases loaded (2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR) ... has put the leadoff hitter on base 46% of the time (96-for-208) ... leads the Pac-12 in triples (18) and is first in the nation in triples per game (.55) ... 18 triples rank third in Stanford single-season record book ... has scored first in 20 of the 33 games this year, and is 19-1 when scoring first ... has swiped 35 bases in 41 attempts to place sixth in the Pac-12 in stolen bases ... ranks fourth in the Pac-12 in ERA (2.54) ... is 2-0 against ranked opponents this year ... is 15-0 when hitting a home run this year.
» Whitney Burks is batting .349 (15x43) with runners aboard ... has reached in 10 straight games and has scored 10 runs over the span.
» Teaghan Cowles has hit safely in 11 straight games (.605, 23x38, 8 R, 5 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI) and 21 of the last 23 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 second in the Pac-12 in triples (4) ... batting 17-for-43 (.395) with runners aboard ... is hitting .563 (9x16) and slugging .750 over the last five games while batting .600 (21x35) with eight runs scored, five doubles, a triple and a homer (.886 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 13 ... 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 9-4 with a 2.45 ERA and one save over 17 appearances (15 starts) ... is ranked 12th in the Pac-12 in ERA.
» Alyssa Horeczko is a perfect 9-for-9 in stolen bases ... ranks ninth in the Pac-12 in stolen bases.
» Hannah Howell has reached safely in 21 of her 25 games played ... is hitting .423 (11x26) with the bases empty ... hitting .400 (10x25) with two out ... has scored nine runs while hitting .441 (15x34) 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 28 of her 33 games played this year, including 11 straight from March 1-24.
» Carolyn Lee ranks 10th in the Pac-12 in ERA (2.42)
» 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 10 of her 17 hits go for extra bases (seven 2B, one 3B, two HR) ... is hitting .429 (6x14) with a double, a triple and two RBI over the last five games ... has driven in 11 runs with five doubles, a triple 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 second in the Pac-12 in triples (4) ... was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on March 5 ... is hitting .462 (6x13) with five runs scored, a double, a triple, a home run and three RBI over the last five games ... has scored nine runs while hitting .407 (11x27) over the last 10 games.
THIS WEEK
Stanford will play a road midweek game at Santa Clara on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before welcoming Utah to Smith Family Stadium over the weekend for a three-game Pac-12 series beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. The Friday and Sunday games against the Utes will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.
LAST TIME OUT
Stanford played just one game in a rain-shortened three-game Pac-12 series at Oregon State last weekend, defeating the Beavers, 3-2, on Friday. Senior Carolyn Lee made two separate appearances in the circle, compiling 6.1 innings and allowing just one run on a hit and no walks while striking out five. Lee faced one over the minimum through the first five innings, surrendering just a solo homer to Frankie Hammoude to break a scoreless game in the second. Outside of the home run, the only other blemish on Lee's line was a hit-by-pitch issued to Jessica Garcia in the sixth inning. Offensively, Kristina Inouye went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Montana Dixon delivered a big two-RBI double in the fifth to break a 1-1 tie.
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
» 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 BRONCOS
Santa Clara enters the midweek sporting an 8-25 overall record and has dropped seven straight. Most recently, the Broncos suffered four losses at the Seattle Round Robin tournament. Eleni Spirakis leads the team in hitting with a .355 average and has a .434 OBP to go with a team-high nine steals. She has also scored a team-leading 26 runs while hitting eight doubles and a home run with 10 RBIs. Sammy Needham's 13 doubles lead Santa Clara and she is hitting .352 with a team-best .457 OBP. She is also second with 17 RBIs and has scored 11 runs. Regan Dias is hitting .318 with 17 runs scored and 15 RBIs and Hannah Russell has a team-high 21 RBIs. Lauren Anderson leads the Broncos in appearances (22), starts (16), complete games), and innings pitched (81 1/3). Regan Dias has tossed 68 innings with three complete games and Lauren Schiek has two saves in 40 2/3 innings. Lisa Dodd is in her second 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 33 games this year. Cowles is hitting a team-best .432 overall, including .456 (31x68) with the bases empty. Furthermore, she is reaching at a .588 clip (30x51) and hitting .457 (21x46) when leading off an inning. In true leadoff at bats to start a game, Cowles is hitting .433 (13x30) 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, 33-18, in the first inning this year. The Card has hit .307 (43x140) with 11 doubles, five triples and four homers in the opening stanza. Reaching base at a .384 clip, Stanford has also drawn 15 walks. Including a 21-9 advantage in the second inning, Stanford is outscoring opponents, 54-27, in the first two frames.
TWO-OUT HITTING
Stanford is hitting .271 (75x277) with two out this year, as three players with at least 25 at bats are batting .345 or better in the situation. Junior Hannah Howell paces the way, connecting for a .400 average (10x25), followed by Montana Dixon (.375) and Teaghan Cowles (.346). Digging deeper into the clutch situation, the Card has delivered 57 two-out RBI, including nine apiece from Dixon and 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 .242 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.
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 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 racked up 18 through 33 games this year to lead the Pac-12 and place first in the NCAA in triples per game. The 18 triples rank third 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 35 bases in its first 41 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.
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.