STANFORD, Calif. - Senior Teaghan Cowles delivered a walk-off, RBI-single in the first of two Saturday games and sophomore Kate Cressey launched a three-run, walk-off home run in the sixth inning of game two to hand Stanford two more walk-off wins.
With the two walk-off victories, Stanford has now totaled nine walk-off wins, including four by way of a home run, and has captured 11 victories in its final at bat. All four of its wins from the DeMarini Invitational this weekend have been run-rule victories capped by a walk-off hit.
WALK. OFF. HOMER!@CresseyKate CRUSHES a walk-off homer to left field to hand Stanford a 13-3 victory in 6?!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/e3fMBM3gHp
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 1, 2020
The Cardinal (17-3) defeated Saint Francis (5-12), 8-0 in five innings, in the opener on Saturday, while Cressey's homer handed Stanford a 13-3 victory over Rhode Island (4-13).
Cowles, who finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and the RBI, capped a four-run fifth inning for the Cardinal in game one. Senior Hannah Howell got the scoring started in the fifth with a two-RBI double to plate Kristina Inouye and Emily Schultz.
Schultz finished game one 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI-single – part of a three-run first inning for the Cardinal.
The run support was plenty enough for freshman Alana Vawter in the circle. The right-hander tossed a five-inning complete-game shutout, allowing just five hits while striking out four to improve to 6-0 on the season.
Grace Vesco was saddled with the loss for the Red Flash after allowing eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits and five walks. Vesco fell to 3-5 with the decision.
Stanford exploded for 13 runs on 15 hits in game two, highlighted by Cressey's walk-off round-tripper.
Four Cardinal batters finished with multiple hits in the second game, including Kaitlyn Lim and Howell with three apiece. Lim got the scoring started for the Cardinal with a two-run homer in the first inning, eventually finishing the contest 3-for-4 with the home run, two runs scored, three RBIs and a double.
Including two from Lim, Stanford totaled six extra-base hits in the game-two victory.
B1 » ?? 2, ?? 0
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 1, 2020
Kaitlyn Lim showing off that opposite field ??!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/FD9I1fxayj
Both Howell and Lim also wreaked havoc on the bases, swiping a bag each to help Stanford to three in game two. Cowles, who went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a double, also stole one in the finale, adding to her three from game one help guide Stanford to seven over the two contests.
After plating a pair of runs on Lim's homer in the first, Stanford scored three times in the second, twice in the third, and six times in the sixth to earn the run-rule victory.
Freshman Tatum Boyd got the start for the Cardinal in game two, tossing three scoreless frames before handing the ball over to the bullpen. After Maddy Dwyer got one out, sophomore Molly Millar finished the game in the circle – logging 2.2 scoreless frames with three strikeouts to pick up the victory and move to 1-0 on the season.
Stanford will look to finish the weekend perfect on Sunday when it hosts Rhode Island at 12:30 p.m. to conclude play from the DeMarini Invitational.