STILLWATER, Okla. – With the thermometer hanging around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, Stanford softball found the spark to score in each of the first four innings to defeat Minnesota, 11-3 in six innings.
The Cardinal (18-4) fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first after three of the first four Gopher batters singled. Minnesota's (11-7) lead was short-lived as the Cardinal responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Sydnee Huff led off with a double to right field and got brought home on a RBI groundout courtesy Emily Young to pull within a run.
Young batted in three runs off only one hit – a two-RBI single to second base – while Stanford scored three runs in second, third and fourth innings. Six of Stanford's 11 runs came with two outs.
Sydney Steele' two-run home run and a three-run double from Ellee Eck was all the run support the Cardinal needed to back-up Alana Vawter's dominant outing in the circle for her fourth victory this weekend.
Steele and Eck each batted in three runs on Sunday.
Vawter struck out seven batters to zero walks. Despite allowing eight hits, Stanford's defense limited the damage as the Gophers hit 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and 3-of-12 with runners on base.
Caelan Koch ended the game on a walk-off hit to the fence to plate Schultz from third base.
Stanford ends the week with a 4-2 record thanks to wins over UC Davis, No. 8/10 Oklahoma State and Tulsa – all coming away from the friendly confines of Boyd & Jill Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal will be off this week for their bye week, before commencing on a 10-day road trip to Missouri, Nebraska and Oregon State – with the later opening conference play.
