May 2, 2011
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 13 Stanford softball team (35-11) will play its final home game of the regular season, Tuesday, May 3 against Santa Clara (6-28). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Smith Family Stadium.
Stanford went 3-1 last week, defeating UC Davis on the road before taking two-of-three against 11th-ranked Washington at home. It marked the third Pac-10 Conference series win for the Cardinal this season.
Junior shortstop Ashley Hansen led the team offensively with a .467 batting average. The Chandle, Ariz., native tallied seven hits, including a double and a home run, two RBI and a run scored. Senior Melisa Koutz hit .400 with an RBI and a run scored, while junior Sarah Hassman scored four runs on four hits and registered three stolen bases.
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Teagan Gerhart was lights out, posting a 0.37 ERA in three appearances. She finished with 18 strikeouts in 19.0 innings, allowing 10 hits and just one earned run. Gerhart also provided some offense on Friday, scoring the team's first run and then hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory.
Santa Clara played two double-headers last weekend against Sacramento State. The Hornets swept the Broncos, who are on a 16-game losing skid.
Junior outfielder Briana Knight leads SCU offensively with a .433 batting average. She paces the team with 26 hits, including five doubles, a triple and eight home runs. She also tops the Broncos' stats with 19 RBI. Sophomore Jamie Wallis has pitched in with seven home runs, while rookie Krista Jensen has tallied 11 RBI.
Stanford holds a 39-4 all-time record over Santa Clara. The Cardinal defeated the Broncos twice last year. Gerhart threw her first collegiate perfect game against the Broncos last season in the Stanford Louisville Slugger Classic.