Steele's Three-Run Home Run Seals SweepSteele's Three-Run Home Run Seals Sweep
Softball

Steele's Three-Run Home Run Seals Sweep

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. – Sydney Steele hit a three-run shot in the eighth inning to propel No. 9 Stanford to a 5-2 win over Arizona State, Sunday, at Farrington Stadium.

It marked the first time in program history in which Stanford (38-10, 13-8 Pac-12) has swept three conference series in the same season (the Pac-12 went to a three-game series format in 2010). The Cardinal sits fourth in the Pac-12 standings, and is just one game back in the loss column behind second place Washington (14-7) and third place Oregon (13-7). 

Steele led the way offensively for the Cardinal, going 2-for-4 at the plate. Her home run in the eighth was her first of the season. Emily Schultz finished 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored, while freshmen Kyra Chan and River Mahler each drove in a run.
 


Freshman NiJaree Canady (13-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen, tallying three strikeouts in 1.2 shutout innings, allowing just one hit. Junior Regan Krause started in the circle and re-entered in the eighth, notching a pair of strikeouts while allowing just one hit and one walk in 3.0 innings of work to secure her first save of the year.
 


The game remained scoreless through four innings. Schultz led off the fifth with a single to left field and advanced to second on a single down the left line by Steele. The pair moved to third and second, respectively, as Chan layed down a perfect sacrifice bunt. Mahler then drove in the Cardinal's first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to center field.  

Arizona State answered in the bottom half of the inning, plating two to take the lead.

With the game on the line in the top of the seventh, Schultz once again found herself in scoring position after knocking a double to right center. She reached third after a ground out by Steele. Chan came up big again, scorching a single through the right side to score Schultz.
 


With two on and two outs in the eighth, Steele's sixth career home run cleared the bases, scoring pinch runner Ella Nadeau and Schultz. 

Stanford returns to The Farm next week, hosting Sacramento State for a doubleheader on Wednesday and No. 10 Washington for the final series of the regular season.

GAME NOTES
» The Cardinal out-hit the Sun Devils at an 11-8 clip.
» Stanford went 3-for-7 (.429) with runners in scoring position.
» Stanford pitchers limited Arizona State to just 2-for-13 (.154) with runners in scoring position.
» Stanford pitchers faced 36 Arizona State hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out seven.