STANFORD, Calif. – For the third-straight season, Stanford softball is feeling super. The number-eight-seeded Cardinal split with Cal State Fullerton today to win the NCAA Stanford Regional and advance to next week's Super Regional round.
The Titans jumped out to an early lead in the decisive game two of the day, plating a pair of runs in the second inning. After allowing four hits in the first two frames, including both an earned and unearned run, sophomore NiJaree Canady was electric in the final five innings.
Canady finished the game with just six hits allowed, striking out 13 in seven innings of work.
In the third inning, the Cardinal bats were able to break through with all the runs needed to lock up the win.
After sophomore Taryn Kern tripled, the San Jose product was able to slide under a tag and score on a fielder's choice from sophomore Kyra Chan. After freshman Ava Gall walked, her and Chan both came around to score on a double from senior Aly Kaneshiro.
Kaneshiro would score on an RBI single from sophomore River Mahler to make it a 4-2 score, which would hold and go final.
The Cardinal fell 8-1 in game one of the day, going up 1-0 before Fullerton scored eight unanswered runs to take the win.
Fullerton went on to score eight unanswered runs, taking the game one win 8-1.
The Cardinal moves to 57-46 all time in NCAA tournament play, including 12-6 with Jessica Allister at the helm.
The Cardinal will host the ninth-seeded LSU Tigers next weekend in Super Regionals. Stanford last hosted Super Regionals in 2022, falling to Oregon State. The best-of-three series will run from Friday to Sunday. Friday's game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT, and will be broadcast on ESPNU. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. PT.
The third-straight Super Regional Appearance is a program first. The team has reached this stage of the postseason eight times, and advanced to the Women's College World Series three times.
