STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford softball dropped a four spot in the bottom of the second to jump to an early lead, and road the momentum to a 5-3 win over BYU on Thursday night. The win improves the Cardinal to 8-2 on the season and opens the DeMarini Invitational with a victory.
The Cougars (7-7) scored three runs in the top of seventh with two outs, but a flyout to Taylor Gindlesperger would end the game and preserve the two-run Cardinal victory. Alana Vawter picked up her fifth win in as many appearances this season, and she did not allow an earned run in a complete game.
Vawter held BYU to hit .148 on the night, including 0-for-7 with two outs through the first six innings.
The Cardinal stole five bases on the night, its most since swiping five bags last season against Pacific (Feb. 28).
Stanford benefitted from four wild pitches on the night, with its first run being courtesy of Sydney Steele's run with the bases loaded. With one out in the bottom of the second, the Cardinal continued to attack the plate, batting 3-for-4 with runners in scoring position during the inning.
???????????????? bunt from @kristina_inouye!@sydneehuff races home on the sacrifice from Kristina, and the Cardinal lead grows to 2-0 in the bottom of the second!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/vabYfaQOsg
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 5, 2021
Kristina Inouye laid down a textbook sacrifice bunt to give play to Sydnee Huff's speed for a 2-0 lead, and a single into right field from Teaghan Cowles batted Montana Dixon in from third to push the lead to three runs. With runners on first and second, Emily Young singled up the right side to bat Cowles for Stanford's final run of the inning.
With the game running late into the night, Stanford added an insurance run on a double steal from Cowles and Matteson in the bottom of the sixth.
Seven different players registered a hit on the night for the Cardinal, with Eleni Spirakis and Steele leading the way with doubles to their credit.
Stanford will continue the DeMarini Invitational tomorrow against Nevada. First pitch against the Wolf Pack is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be available to watch through the Stanford Live Stream.