April 21, 2011
BERKELEY, Calif. - The No. 10 Stanford softball team fell 2-0, Thursday, to No. 12 California at Levine-Fricke Field in Berkeley, Calif. The Cardinal drops to 31-9 overall and 5-5 in the Pac-10, while the Golden Bears improve to 29-8 on the year and 6-4 in the conference.
Sophomore pitcher Teagan Gerhart threw her 19th complete game of the season. She finished with five strikeouts and falls to 17-7 on the year. Cal's Jolene Henderson picked up the win, improving to 26-5 on the year.
Stanford yielded a run to Cal in the first inning. With a runner on and one out, a catcher's interference by Kelsey Gerhart put two on for the Golden Bears. Center fielder Frani Echavarria singled through the left side to load the bases. Then, designated player Ashley Decker drew a walk to give Cal the 1-0 lead.
Miller led off the second with a single up the middle and then advanced to third on a double down the right line by Rich. However, Henderson retired the next three Cardinal hitters to end the inning with the Cal still ahead 1-0.
Gerhart led off the third with a single to right field, but three consecutive fielder's choices followed and the Cardinal still trailed by one.
The Golden Bears threatened to increase their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with runners on second and third with just one out. However, third baseman Jace Williams grounded out and Gerhart caught Echavarria looking to end the inning.
Stanford kept battling, loading the bases in the top of the sixth. With one out, freshman Corey Hanewich and junior Ashley Hansen both singled to put two runners on. The pair advanced an extra base on Hansen's hit as Cal's Echavarria misplayed the ball in center field. Miller then reached on an error by Williams at third to load the bases. Unfortunately for the Cardinal, Henderson managed to get out of the jam unscathed.
Cal catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt led off the sixth with a solo home run to left field to put the Bears up 2-0.
Stanford and Cal continue the conference series, Friday, Apr. 22 at 3 p.m. in Berkeley, Calif.