TEMPE, Ariz. – Highlighted by a six-RBI day from junior Kristina Inouye, Stanford (2-0) posted a 12-3 run-rule victory over Kansas (0-2) in five innings on Friday afternoon from the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.
Inouye, who had three RBI in the season-opening win over Bradley, now owns nine RBI in just six at bats this year after batting 3-for-3 with a double in the victory over the Jayhawks. The six-RBI game is the first for Stanford since Kayla Bonstrom had six at Pacific on March 31, 2015.
The native of Huntington Beach, Calif. delivered a two-RBI single back up the middle in the second inning, helping the Cardinal build a 5-2 advantage after two frames. Coming to the plate with the bases loaded in the third, Inouye laced a bases-clearing double off the top of the wall in left field to extend the Cardinal lead to 8-2. Her final at bat came in the fourth inning, as she delivered an RBI-single down the left field line to chase home Hannah Howell and one of the four Stanford runs in the frame.
Three more RBI for Kristina Inouye! She now has eight RBI through five at bats this season and five RBI in this game alone! #GoStanford
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 8, 2019
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Sophomore right-hander Maddy Dwyer was all the Card would need in the circle, as she allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with five strikeouts over 5.0 innings of work. The Orange, Calif. product picked up her first win of the season thanks to the effort.
Perhaps overshadowed by Inouye's career day, Teaghan Cowles also impressed in the win over Kansas, finishing 2-for-3 with her first career homer – a leadoff shot off the scoreboard in the first inning. Freshman Emily Young and Howell both scored three times, with Young finishing 1-for-1 with a walk.
Teaghan Cowles's first career homer for @StanfordSBall takes the @OpusBank #12Best moment. pic.twitter.com/0WgUxHxn8T
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) February 9, 2019
The Cardinal offense got to the Jayhawks early, chasing freshman starter Lexy Mills after just two-plus innings. The right-hander allowed seven runs on four hits and three walks before being saddled with the loss and falling to 0-1.
Stanford will continue play at the Kajikawa Classic on Saturday, playing a pair of games against Western Michigan and Seattle. The contest against Western Michigan is scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. PT first pitch, while the matchup with the Redhawks is slated for 1:30 p.m. PT.