TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Just don't call it an upset.
Stanford (38-19) came out aggressively to score three runs in the top of the first, and it rode a dominant showing from Alana Vawter and the Cardinal defense to defeat sixth-seeded Alabama, 6-0 Saturday at Rhoads Stadium. The win advances the Cardinal to the regional final – putting the program one win away from reaching Super Regionals.
The victory ends Alabama's 44-game win streak in the NCAA regional round, is the first time any team has shutout the Crimson Tide this season and is the first time the program has been shutout in the regional round since 2004. It's also the first time Stanford has shutout a team in the postseason since 2012 (1-0, Baylor).
The first three batters reached base safely for the Cardinal, with Taylor Gindlesperger providing the energy with a leadoff triple. Sydnee Huff hit a groundball to the shortstop that appeared to catch Gindlesperger in a rundown, but the senior used her speed to score when the throw went back to third base.
Emily Young drew a bases-loaded walk and Dani Hayes hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bat two more runs across the plate to give Stanford the early advantage. From there, Vawter and the defense shut the Crimson Tide offense down.
Alabama managed two hits on the afternoon, and never put a runner in scoring position outside of the bottom of the first inning. Stanford retired seven straight batters and sent 13 back to the dugout in a 14 batter stretch. The lone batter to reach in that span failed to make it to second base after the following batter hit into a double play.
The top of the Cardinal order all ended the day 2-for-4 with two runs scored as Stanford added to its lead with runs in the fifth and seventh innings. Young also batted in three runs on only one hit. Stanford received contributions from its entire lineup.
Stanford will play tomorrow at noon PT.