PHOENIX, Ariz. – Playing a pair of games on Saturday from the GCU Kickoff Tournament, Stanford (4-1) earned a split, dropping a 2-0 decision to New Mexico before defeating Weber State by a score of 9-4.
Junior right-hander Maddy Dwyer pitched well in the opener, but surrendered a pair of solo home runs to New Mexico, as the Cardinal suffered its first loss of the season.
Dwyer pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just three hits and two walks, before dropping to 1-1 on the season. Freshman Tatum Boyd finished the game in the circle, striking out one and issuing a walk.
Right-hander Brianna Sanchez tossed the complete game for New Mexico, allowing four Cardinal hits and three walks with one strikeout. Sanchez improved to 1-0 with the victory.
Kaitlyn Lim provided the only extra-base hit of the game for Stanford, lacing a double down the left field line in the first inning. Stanford's best opportunity to score came in the second as the Cardinal loaded the bases with two out before Sanchez induced a foul-out off the bat of Teaghan Cowles to end the threat.
Rachael Hathoot wasted no time putting the Lobos on the board, connecting for a leadoff home run in the first inning. Andrea Howard added a solo homer of her own in the fourth to extend the tally to the eventual final of 2-0. Rebounding nicely following the setback, Stanford sent 12 hitters to the plate and exploded for seven runs in the third inning en route to running away with the victory over Weber State.
Freshmen Sydney Steele and Kaitlyn Lim joined Montana Dixon and Taylor Gindlesperger with RBI-singles in the seven-run third.
Steele, who finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, would later add her first collegiate home run in the sixth inning. Gindlesperger also recorded a three-hit day, while Cowles and Emily Schultz added two apiece.
Freshman Tatum Boyd got the start and tossed the first 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits with five strikeouts. After Gabi Peters logged the next two-third of a frame, Alana Vawter contributed the final 3.0 innings to record the victory and move to 1-0 on the season.
Stanford will finish the GCU Kickoff Tournament on Sunday with a 9 a.m. PT game against Weber State.