April 23, 2011
BERKELEY, Calif. - The No. 10 Stanford softball team fell, 4-1, at No. 12 California in the series finale, Saturday, at Levine-Fricke Field in Berkeley, Calif. The Cardinal drops to 32-10 overall and 6-6 in the Pac-10, while the Golden Bears improve to 30-9 on the year and 7-5 in the conference.
Sophomore Teagan Gerhart (17-8) earned the start in the circle. She threw 3.1 innings and struck out three batters in the loss. Cal sophomore Jolene Henderson picked up the win, moving to 27-6 on the year.
Cal tallied one run in the bottom of the third to take the 1-0 advantage. Left fielder Jamia Reid reached on a fielding errory by Stanford shortstop Ashley Hansen. After stealing second, Reid scored on an RBI single to centerfield by Cal third baseman Jace Williams.
Stanford had a chance in the fourth, but was unable to capitalize with two runners in scoring position. Freshman Corey Hanewich and sophomore Jenna Rich each registered hits in the inning for the Cardinal.
Cal increased its lead to 3-0 on a two-run home run by right fielder Elia Reid. Stanford brought in senior pitcher Ashley Chinn in relief to close out the inning.
The Golden Bears plated another run in the fifth to go up 4-0. With runners on second and third, Cal designated player Ashley Decker hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Stanford finally got on the board in the top of the sixth inning. Freshman Corey Hanewich led off with a single through the right side. Hansen then ripped a double to right centerfield to score Hanewich from first. It marked the 20th double of the season for the shortstop, which leads the Pac-10.
The Cardinal attempted one last rally in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Gerhart, junior Sarah Hassman and Hanewich loaded the bases on three consecutive infield singles. However, Hansen flied out to the second baseman, ending Stanford's chance of a come-from-behind victory.
Stanford will be back in action on Tuesday, Apr. 26 as it travels to Davis, Calif., for a non-conference game against the UC Davis Aggies. The Cardinal will then host its final Pac-10 Conference series of the season against the Washington Huskies, Apr. 29 - May 1 at Smith Family Stadium.