PHOENIX, Ariz. - Sophomore Emily Schultz went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a run scored and two RBIs to help guide Stanford (5-1) to a 12-3 run-rule victory in five innings over Weber State (3-2) to close play from the GCU Kickoff Tournament on Sunday.
Senior Hannah Howell also drove in a pair, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two doubles while hitting out of the ninth spot in the order.
Though overshadowed by the outpouring of runs, freshman Tatum Boyd impressed in the circle for the Cardinal. Boyd, who improved to 2-0 with the victory, tossed three perfect frames and struck out two before giving way to the bullpen in the fourth. Freshman Alana Vawter went the next 1.2 innings before senior Kiana Pancino recorded the final out in the fifth.
Stanford got on the board first in the second inning as Emily Young split the gap in right-center field for a leadoff double. Schultz followed suit with an opposite-field double of her own, chasing home Young to post her first RBI of the season.
The Cardinal put the game out of reach in the third inning, scoring nine runs on six hits to open up a 10-0 advantage. After Stanford managed to load the bases with nobody out, Young singled to get the scoring started. Kristina Inouye followed with a run-scoring single to chase Weber State starter Kate Donaldson. The RBIs kept coming for the Cardinal as Schultz, Howell and Taylor Gindlesperger each drove in a run, including a two-RBI double from Howell. When the inning ultimately ended, Stanford had sent 13 batters to the plate.
While Weber State did manage to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth, Vawter got two back on one swing of the bat in the fifth, as she launched a two-run home run to left field for her first career round-tripper.
Donaldson was charged with the loss for Weber State after allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings of work. With the decision, she fell to 0-2 this year.
Stanford will now return home for the next 15 games, beginning with a doubleheader against Seattle University on Thursday at 4 p.m.
