STANFORD, Calif. – It was a tough day all around for Stanford which fell behind early and never recovered in an 8-0 defeat in five innings against No. 3 Oregon on Friday evening.
The Cardinal (19-31, 2-21 Pac-12) surrendered three runs in the first inning and was unable to stop the Ducks' offense, which scored in four-of-five innings.
Stanford's offense had trouble figuring out Oregon (46-6, 16-6 Pac-12) starting pitcher, Miranda Elish (9-0), producing only one hit and one walk. The walk came early, drawn by Kylie Sorenson to lead off the bottom of the first, and the hit came in the following inning on a single by Montana Dixon.
Elish retired the next 12 Stanford batters after Dixon to close the game and seal the victory for the Ducks.
Kiana Pancino (6-6) got the start for the Cardinal and lasted four innings before she was replaced by Nikki Bauer who finished the game.
Tough one today but plenty of strong efforts. #GoStanford https://t.co/YIWkHgS2DW
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) May 13, 2017
Highlights from Stanford's defeat against No. 3 Oregon.
It was a tough day on defense as well, as the Cardinal committed four errors. Bessie Noll and Pancino provided the bright spots defensively for the Cardinal.
Noll made a difficult catch against the wall on a hard-hit fly ball into a swirling wind in center field to end the third inning. Pancino ended the fourth with an athletic play on a high chopped ground ball back to the circle. Pancino leapt to catch the ball then shoved it on one hop to first in time to get the out.
Oregon jumped on the Cardinal early with three first-inning runs and added a run apiece in the third and fourth innings. The Ducks put the finishing touches on the win with a three-run fifth to seal the decision.
Stanford will look to end its season on a high note in its season finale on Saturday at noon (PT). The Cardinal's four seniors – Sorenson, Noll and Bertoy – will be honored after the game. The contest will be televised on the Pac-12 Network and live statistics will be available via GoStanford.com.