PHOENIX, Ariz. - Junior Maddy Dwyer twirled an Opening Day gem on Thursday night, dealing 7.1 scoreless frames to record the victory and help Stanford (1-0) secure a 3-0 extra-inning win over Grand Canyon (0-1) from the GCU Kickoff Tournament.
Dwyer worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning before settling in to eventually allow just four hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Playing with the "International Tie Breaker" rule in effect, Dwyer induced the first out of the eighth inning before handing the ball over to Kiana Pancino for the save. Pancino finished the 2019 season with eight saves to lead the Pac-12 and finish fourth in the nation.
Win » ??
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 7, 2020
Stanford wins a pitcher's duel, 3-0, over Grand Canyon on Opening Night!
Maddy Dwyer: W, 7.1 IP, 4 H, 5 K
The Cardinal is back in action at the GCU Kickoff Tournament on Friday at 1 p.m. vs. @UNMLoboSB.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/BdWRcOO3H3
Scoreless headed into the eighth inning, Hannah Howell was placed on second base to start the frame. Alyssa Horeczko put down a sacrifice bunt and the throw to first was dropped to allow Howell to score on the play. Horeczko would score on the ensuing play as Taylor Gindlesperger split the gap in left-center field and obstruction was called as Horeczko slid head-first into the plate. The Cardinal would tack on a third run in the inning as Sydnee Huff lined a single into left field to bring home Gindlesperger and pick up her first career RBI.
Gindlesperger finished the night 2-for-3 with the double, a run scored and a RBI while hitting out of the ninth spot in the order.
T8 » ?? 2, ?????? 0@taylornicole25 splits the gap in left-centerfield to push a second run across!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/OJT1L67uul
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) February 7, 2020
Opposite Dwyer, Ryan Denhart impressed for GCU. The right-hander tossed the first seven scoreless innings before Stanford broke through in the extra frame. Denhart, who fell to 0-1, was charged with three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts over 7.2 innings of work.
The Cardinal will continue play at the GCU Kickoff on Friday with a 1 p.m. PT game against New Mexico. Stanford and GCU will then meet once more on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. PT.