May 20, 2005
The fourth-ranked Stanford Cardinal breezed to a 9-0 win over Robert Morris in six shortened innings Friday night at University Field in Columbia, Mo. in the NCAA Regional opener for both teams.
Stanford scored at least one run in every inning, as it improved to 41-14 on the season. The Cardinal amassed 11 hits on the night, scoring twice each in the first, fifth and sixth innings. First baseman Elizabeth Bendig, who entered the game as a defensive replacement in the top of the sixth inning, ended the game with a two-run homerun over the left field wall, in the bottom half of the frame. It was Bendig's first homerun of the 2005 season.
Stanford was paced offensively by CF Catalina Morris, who went 3-for-4 on the evening, and scored two runs from the leadoff spot in the lineup. She singled to lead off the bottom of the first for Stanford, and eventually came around to score on a single by 3B Michelle Smith. Smith drove in two runs on the play to make it 2-0 in favor of the Cardinal.
Stanford scored single runs in the second, third and fourth innings to stake a 5-0 lead after four. Starting pitcher Becky McCullough, who got out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first inning, settled down to retire the side in each of her last three innings to earn the win. She improved to 19-6 on the season, and allowed just two hits, while striking out three. Laura Severson pitched the final two innings for Stanford, striking out two and allowing just one hit.
The top of the order for Stanford was a catalyst on the evening, as the top three hitters in the lineup had six hits, scored three runs and had three runs batted in. SS Lauren Lappin was 2-for-3 with a run and RBI in the No. 2 spot, while Smith was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI hitting third.
Robert Morris starting pitcher Danielle Cohen (14-6) took the loss, as she gave up three runs (all earned) and five hits in two innings of work. Erica Riggle relieved and threw three innings and allowed six runs, four of them of the earned variety.
The Colonials' best chance to make waves came early in the game, as RMU's first two batters reached safely in the top of the first inning. SS Jill Spargo led off the game with a single to left field, and that was followed by a perfect bunt single by LF Crystal Herman to put runners at first and second with no outs. Keri Meyer flew out to left field for the game's first out, but DH Kali Byers was hit by a pitch to load the bases and extend the Colonial rally.
Facing a bases-loaded jam, Stanford's McCullough bore down and struck out 1B Brandi Doerschner and induced a groundout to shortstop by C Jill Dorsch to end the inning with no damage done.
After RMU's consecutive hits to open the game, the Colonials wouldn't reach base again until the top of the sixth, when Meyer singled sharply up the middle with two outs in what proved to be the last inning. She was stranded there when Byers grounded out to third to end the inning. In all, Stanford pitchers retired 16 straight Colonial hitters before Meyer's sixth-inning safety.
Stanford advanced to tomorrow's winners bracket battle against Southern Illinois, with first pitch set for Noon at University Field. Robert Morris (29-21-1) will face host Missouri tomorrow in an elimination game set for 3:30 p.m.