STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 9 Cardinal walked off Utah today to move to 24-5 on the season, and a perfect 5-0 in conference play. Sophomore Taryn Kern was the hero, crushing the walk-off homer to win 2-1.
The Card fell behind early, with Utah putting up a run in the top of the first to make it 1-0.
Sophomore River Mahler would step up to drive in the tying run in the fourth, after bringing home the go-ahead run in yesterday's win.
Senior pitcher Regan Krause settled in after allowing the first three batters to single. Krause retired the next 18 batters, finishing the game with just one run allowed in seven dominant innings.
Then in the bottom of the seventh, Kern stepped into the box with two outs. The sophomore fouled off three pitches in a seven-pitch at bat, eventually blasting the seventh pitch over the centerfield fence.
The win clinches two-straight series wins for the Cardinal to open Pac-12 play, after sweeping No. 17 California last week.
The two teams will finish the series tomorrow, with the first pitch scheduled for noon PT.
