May 8, 2011
EUGENE, Ore. - The 10th-ranked Stanford softball team fell 4-1 in the series finale at No. 12 Oregon, Sunday, at Howe Field in Eugene, Ore. The Cardinal drops to 37-13 overall and 9-9 in the Pac-10, while the Ducks improve to 37-13 and 9-9 in the conference.
Sophomore pitcher Teagan Gerhart took the loss, falling to 20-9 overall. She allowed four runs on five hits, while posting seven strikeouts. Oregon's Jessica Moore earned the win in the circle, improving to 20-8.
A two-run home run by Oregon right fielder Christie Nieto gave the Ducks the lead in the bottom of the second.
Stanford cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth inning. Junior Jenna Becerra drew a walk to lead off the inning. A single down the left line by junior Sarah Hassman put two runners on for the Cardinal. The pair advanced on a passed ball by Oregon catcher Alexa Peterson. Junior shortstop Ashley Hansen hit a blooper to right field, scoring Becerra.
In the top of the fifth, with one out, freshman Michelle Prong drew a walk and then freshman Caitlyn Pura singled through the right side to put two runners on for the Cardinal. At that point, steady rain at Howe Field forced a delay as the Oregon team tarped the field. After about a 30 minute break, Oregon pitcher Jessica Moore struck out Becerra and Gerhart to end the inning.
Oregon scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run by Peterson. With two outs in the inning, the game was delayed once again due to rain. After the short break, Gerhart struck out the final batter to end the inning.
Stanford didn't give up, scoring a run in the top of the seventh. Hassman hit an RBI single to score Pura. However, Oregon recorded the final out of the game as the Cardinal stranded 15 runners on base for the game.
Up next, Stanford closes out the 2011 Pac-10 Conference season on the road at top-ranked Arizona State. The Cardinal and Sun Devils will square off, Thursday-Saturday, May 12-14, at Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.