STANFORD, Calif. – The No. 7 Cardinal's Pac-12 Tournament run has come to a close in the semifinals, falling 2-1 to Utah this evening. Stanford pitchers limited the Utes to just five hits and one earned run in the loss.
Utah struck early, scoring an unearned run in the top of the first.
The Cardinal wasn't able to answer in the home half of the frame, but sophomore Taryn Kern moved into the record books with her 48th walk of the season. The total puts her out of a tie and into sole possession of the single-season program record.
Utah added another run in the top of the third, which would prove to be the difference.
Sophomore NiJaree Canady entered the circle in the top of the fifth after taking over for senior Regan Krause. Krause finished the game with only one earned run in four innings pitched, striking out four and allowing four hits.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Kern was hit by a pitch to push a run across. The rally fell just short in the end, with the 2-1 final score holding.
Next up for the No. 7 Card is Selection Sunday, with Stanford's postseason assignment being announced at 4:00 p.m. PT on ESPN2.