STANFORD, Calif. – No. 19 Stanford picked up a fourth-straight win tonight, topping Notre Dame 7-2 to move to 15-6 on the season and 5-2 in ACC play. Freshman pitcher Anna Brewer was dominant in a lengthy relief appearance, and Emily Jones went 3-for-3 at the plate to pace the Cardinal.
Notre Dame struck first, scoring a pair on a home run in the top of the first. Stanford’s answer started in the third, with Jones singling in a run to cut into the lead at 2-1.
Then in the fourth, the Cardinal bats really broke through. The home team struck for five runs on four hits to take a 6-2 lead. After Jade Berry led off with a walk, River Mahler brought her home on an RBI triple to tie the game. Ava Gall brought in Mahler with an RBI fielder’s choice, putting Stanford ahead 3-2.
Sydney Boulaphinh and Jones each recorded RBI singles to bring it to 5-2, then Addyson Sheppard brought in the sixth run of the game on an RBI fielder’s choice.
In the circle, Anna Brewer exited for Cardinal in the sixth. The freshman tossed 4.1 hitless innings of relief, striking out one and only issuing one walk to get the win.
Reigning Wilson/NFCA DI Pitcher of the Week Zoe Prystajko entered in relief in the sixth, inheriting two runners on and two outs. In typical fashion, she struck out the first batter she faced to get out of the jam.
The Cardinal pushed an unearned run across in the bottom of the sixth, with Jones driving in Kern on a sacrifice fly. Kern had reached third on an error. The sacrifice fly was the first time Jones got out on the day, going 3-for-3 with three RBI.
Prystajko finished off the Irish in the seventh to earn her third save of the season. The Cardinal staff finished with just two runs allowed on three hits.
Stanford and Notre Dame are back again tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. PT. The game will be streamed on ACC Network Extra, and tickets are available at Tickets.GoStanford.com.
POSTGAME NOTES:
- Stanford moves to 15-6 on the season and 5-2 in ACC play, winning four straight.
- The Cardinal has now scored seven or more runs in a game 13 times this season.
- Freshman Anna Brewer earned her second win of the season with 4.1 innings of hitless relief.
- Sophomore Zoe Prystajko earned her third save of the season with 1.1 innings to close the win.
- Senior Emily Jones finished 3-for-3 with three singles and three RBI.
- Senior Taryn Kern pushed her hitting streak to eight games, going 1-for-3 with three runs scored.