TEMPE, Ariz. – Freshman NiJaree Canady punched out nine Arizona State hitters over 3.1 innings to help lead No. 9 Stanford to a 4-2 victory, Friday, at Farrington Stadium.
In addition to her nine strikeouts, Canady (11-0) went 3.1 shutout innings without giving up a hit and walking one for Stanford (36-10, 11-8 Pac-12 ).The right-hander registered seven straight strikeouts to close out game one of the series.
E4: ?? 3, ???? 2
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 29, 2023
FIRE ME UP @CanadyNijaree ??#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/EGwgKI71h8
Alana Vawter got the start in the circle, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out four across 3.2 innings of work.
Offensively, the Cardinal was led by River Mahler and Kylie Chung, who both went 1-for-2 on with two walks. Taylor Gindlesperger, a native of nearby Chandler, Arizona, added a double, while Emily Young and Kyra Chan both tallied singles.
The Sun Devils jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, but the Cardinal answered in the top of the third. Mahler led off with a single up the middle. She advanced to third on a double down the left line by Gindlesperger. Catcher Aly Kaneshiro hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Mahler. Gindlesperger also came home on a throwing error by ASU catcher Sara Kinch.
T3: ?? 2, ???? 2
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 29, 2023
The sac fly by Kaneshiro scores Mahler & @taylornicole25 comes home on an ASU error! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/3nycMSim8E
The Cardinal took the lead in the top of the fourth. Chung reached on a walk and was replaced at first base by pinch runner Emily Jones. Emily Schultz then reached on an error by ASU shortstop Kayla Lissy, allowing Jones to score from first.
Stanford's final run came in the top of the fifth. With two outs, right fielder Kaitlyn Lim was issued a walk bringing up Jones. The shortstop hit a single to center field and rounded first base forcing Arizona State to attempt to throw her out, allowing Lim to score before Young made it safely back to first.
T5: ?? 4, ???? 2
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) April 29, 2023
An @eyoungm2 single and heads up base running scores @kaiitlynliim from first ??#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/axBr15dgif
Stanford and Arizona State will meet again on Saturday at 5 p.m. for game two of the series at Farrington Stadium.
GAME NOTES
» The Stanford pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Arizona State hitters.
» The Cardinal out-hit the Sun Devils, 5-3.
» Stanford held Arizona State to 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» The Cardinal drew six walks from Arizona State pitching.
» Mahler leads Stanford in hits (56), batting average (.409) and walks (17) this season.