May 6, 2011
EUGENE, Ore. - Sophomore Teagan Gerhart tied her career high with 14 strikeouts as the 10th-ranked Stanford softball team defeated Oregon, 4-1, Friday, at Howe Field. The Cardinal improves to 37-11 overall and 9-7 in the Pac-10, while the Ducks drop to 35-13 and 7-9 in the conference.
Gerhart improves to 21-8 on the season. She tossed her 22nd complete game of the year, allowing just one run on three hits. It marks the fifth double-digit strikeout performance of the year for the sophomore. Oregon's Jessica Moore took the loss, falling to 18-8 on the year.
The teams were scoreless through the first three innings. Gerhart struck out six of the nine Oregon hitters on their first at-bats, including five in a row.
Oregon took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Center fielder Samantha Pappas drew a walk. She scored on a triple by first baseman Monique Fuiava.
Stanford continued to trail Oregon in the top of the fifth. Junior Sarah Hassman drew a walk. She then registered her 32nd stolen base of the year, breaking the previous single season record of 31 set by Jessica Mendoza in 2001. The theft also sets a new team single season record (83), breaking last year's record of 82. Unfortunately, the Cardinal was unable to move Hassman any further as the inning ended on a grounded out by Jenna Rich.
The Cardinal captured the lead in the sixth, 2-1. Stanford capitalized on two errors by the Ducks. Freshman designated player Danielle Miller reached on an error by Courtney Ceo. Freshman Caitlyn Pura then entered the game to pinch run for Miller. She advanced to second as senior Melisa Koutz grounded out to first base. Pura scored the first run of the game for the Cardinal as pinch hitter Alix Van Zandt reached on an error by Pappas in center field. Junior Jenna Becerra knocked in the second run with a single up the middle, scoring Van Zandt.
Stanford added to its lead, taking a 4-1 advantage over the Ducks in the seventh. Junior Ashley Hansen led off with a single to left field. With one out, freshman Michelle Prong blasted a two-run shot to left field. It was the fourth home run of the season for the rookie.
Gerhart registered two more strikeouts in the seventh to seal the victory. Hansen finished 3-for-4 in the game, pushing her season batting average back up to .500.
The Cardinal and Ducks will meet again, Saturday, May 7. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Howe Field.