TUCSCON, Ariz. – The long ball worked to Stanford's disadvantage in a 10-6 loss to No. 25 Arizona, Thursday night at Hillenbrand Stadium. It's only the second time the Cardinal (34-19, 9-13 Pac-12) has allowed 10 runs in a game this season.
The Wildcats (33-18, 8-14 Pac-12) scored in the first five innings and hit three separate two-run home runs to claim the first game of the series.
Stanford had 13 hits on the night – its most in a Pac-12 game this season, and its most since March 19 at Mizzou. However, the Cardinal left 11 runners on base and were unable to overcome Arizona's scoring in bunches.
Taylor Gindlesperger, Sydnee Huff, Dani Hayes, Emily Young, Aly Kaneshiro and Emily Schultz each had two hits on the night, while Gindlesperger and Schultz drove in three runs. Schultz also scored a pair of runs.
Stanford put together a seventh inning rally that netted three runs. Kaneshiro and Young singled, and Dani Hayes drew a walk to load the bases for the third time on the night. Everyone was safe thanks to an infield error with Schultz at the plate to bring Hannah Matteson home and continue the rally.
Back-to-back plays at the plate kept the Cardinal from continuing to chip into Arizona's lead, but a two-RBI single into left center from Gindlesperger made it a four-run game with two runners on. Sydnee Huff hit a ground ball to third base, and the fielder stepped on the bag for the final out of the game.
The Cardinal trailed early thanks to a first inning home run from the Wildcats, but the former put the pressure on by loading the bases in the top of the second. The first four batters reached base safely to make it a one-run game, but three straight outs kept it close.
Arizona scored six runs over the second and third innings to extend Stanford's one-run deficit. With its back to the walls facing the prospect of a run-rule, the Cardinal plated two runs in the fourth inning. Hayes put herself in scoring position on a single and an advance on a wild pitch, and she scored on a hard-hit double down the right field line from Schultz.
The double was the first for the senior since April 5. Schultz scored on a RBI single from Taylor Gindlesperger to make it an 8-3 ballgame. The Wildcats scored again in the bottom of the fourth to take the final 10-3 lead.
In the top of the sixth, the Cardinal again loaded the bases to threaten the score. Down to its final out of the inning it did not have enough room to cut into the deficit as Kaitlyn Lim's groundball could not make its way past the Arizona first baseman.
Kylie Chung had two strikeouts in one inning of relief – including one to end the inning with the game-ending run at third base.
Stanford will look to level the series on Friday night. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. with the game airing on the Pac-12 Network.