STANFORD, Calif. - Opening the Stanford Invitational against Hofstra on Friday night, Stanford (7-2) received a complete-game shutout from freshman Alana Vawter en route to capturing a 3-0 victory over The Pride (0-2).
Vawter allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out eight to improve to 2-0 on the season. The right-hander retired 15 straight hitters from the final out of the first through two out in the sixth. The native of Kansas City, Mo. threw 99 pitches, including 60 for strikes.
The Cardinal offense got going in the second inning as sophomore Emily Schultz launched her first home run of the season out to right field to put Stanford on the board. The round-tripper was the fourth of Schultz' career.
Here's that round-tripper from @emilyschultz33. ??#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/UUhLrvGUmd
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 15, 2020
Taylor Gindlesperger reached with a one-out single in the third and promptly stole second – one of seven stolen bases on the night for the Cardinal. Now in scoring position, Gindlesperger scored on a hot-shot hit off the first baseman from Kaitlyn Lim.
Hannah Howell, who went 3-for-3 with a run scored three stolen bases, got the rally going in the fourth with a single before taking second on an errant throw from pitcher Nikki Mullin. The Cardinal tacked on its final run of the game two batters later when Teaghan Cowles sent a double into right field to chase home Howell and run the tally to 3-0.
B4 » ?? 3, ?? 0
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 15, 2020
Teaghan Cowles extends the lead for the Cardinal in the fourth!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/R32EaPwmiI
Cowles finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk while hitting out of the leadoff spot in the order.
Stanford's seven stolen bases are the most for the Cardinal since swiping seven against Oregon State on April 16, 2011. Howell's three stolen bases are the most since Alyssa Horeczko posted three against Cal Poly on February 24, 2018.
Hofstra's Mullin also registered a complete game, allowing 11 hits and one walk while being charged with three runs to fall to 0-1 on the season.
Action from the Stanford Invitational continues at 10 a.m. on Saturday when Drake and Hofstra meet in the first of three Saturday contests. The Cardinal will then play Hofstra at 12:30 p.m. and Drake at 3 p.m. to cap the day from Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium.