CORVALLIS, Ore. – The No. 8 Stanford Cardinal topped Oregon State 8-0 in six innings today, led by sophomore NiJaree Canady in the circle and at the plate. Canady finished the afternoon with five hitless innings, striking out 10 and hitting a home run.
The win moves Stanford to 33-6, and 12-1 in Pac-12 play, with seven-straight wins.
Stanford jumped out to the early lead, with freshman Ava Gall belting her team-leading eighth home run of the season to make it a 3-0 lead before Canady stepped into the circle.
Once she did, the sophomore didn't allow a single hit to Oregon state. For five innings, Canady kept the Beavers out of the hit column.
In the sixth inning, the Card pounced again to stretch the lead. Sophomore Kyra Chan tripled to center, driving in senior Aly Kaneshiro to make it 4-0. Freshman Jade Berry followed with a homer to score Chan and make it 6-0. After sophomore River Mahler singled, Canady stepped into the box with a chance to help her own cause.
Canady blasted a ball to center, giving her a second home run on the season and making it an 8-0 lead.
After her heroics in the circle and in the box, Canady was relieved in the bottom of the sixth by freshman Alyssa Houston. Houston finished the shutout, allowing just one hit in the frame.
Sophomore Emily Jones earned a hit in her eighth-straight game, extending the longest streak of the season for the Cardinal.
The Card and Beavers are back in action tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PT, and can be seen on Pac-12 Insider.
