TUCSON, Ariz. – The No. 9 Cardinal took a series victory at No. 21 Arizona tonight, winning 7-0 thanks to the heroics of sophomore pitcher NiJaree Canady. Stanford moves to 27-6 on the season, and 8-1 in Pac-12 play with the win. Canady struck out 13, while helping her own cause with a home run.
Canady finished the night with just four hits and one walk allowed, to pick up her 13th win of the season and second of the series. Canady threw a five-inning complete game shutout on Thursday, striking out seven in the win.
The Cardinal jumped out in the top of the first, with sophomore Kyra Chan tripling to drive in two runs. The big swing came with two outs and gave Chan a fourth straight game with a hit, and at least one RBI in each of the four.
The next batter, sophomore Emily Jones, brought her home with another timely extra-base hit. Jones' double made it a 3-0 Stanford lead before Canady threw a pitch.
After striking out two in the bottom of the first, Canady helped her own cause in the second. The product of Topeka, Kansas smashed a ball over the fence for her first career homer. The solo shot made it a 4-0 Card lead heading to the bottom of the second.
In the top of the fifth, the Card kept the runs coming. Senior Caelan Koch and sophomore Emily Jones each hit solo home runs to make it 6-0.
Junior Johnna Schroeder added another run in the top of the seventh, pinch hitting and sending the first pitch to left field to make it 7-0.
The win secured a 2-1 series victory for the Cardinal, keeping Stanford atop the Pac-12 standings at 8-1.
Sophomore Taryn Kern hit a single in the first inning, extending her hitting streak to five games. In the stretch, Kern boasts eight hits, four RBI, three homers and five runs scored.
The Card returns home for a Tuesday matchup with Santa Clara at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. PT, with tickets still available at Tickets.GoStanford.com. The game will be streamed on Pac-12 Bay Area.
