FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Friday's opener of the NCAA Fayetteville Regional was a game of home runs. Unfortunately Stanford softball fell 7-1 to South Dakota State and will now play an elimination game on Saturday.
Neither team was able to produce much offensively, combining for two hits over the first three innings. Alana Vawter was lights out, striking out five and allowing a lone base runner through the first three innings.
The hitter-friendly confines of Bogle Park benefitted the Jackrabbits (43-6) first, who jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth thanks to a two-run shot to dead center from Cylie Halvorson. Vawter recovered to retire the next two batters, and Montana Dixon ended the inning with a great defensive play. Allison Yoder dropped a bunt that hugged the line heading towards first – but Dixon chased the ball down to make the throw in time for out number three.
Aly Kaneshiro plated Stanford's (31-21) lone run on a solo shot to left field to pull within a run. The freshman now has four home runs on the year.
South Dakota State responded with a two-run shot, and a three-run shot in the sixth and seventh innings to go up 7-1. The Cardinal put their two leadoff hitters on base in the inning, but were unable to plate a run.
Stanford drops to tomorrow's elimination game against Manhattan, set for 1:30 p.m. PT.