SAN DIEGO - Stanford softball opened the season with a stellar outing from sophomore pitcher NiJaree Canady, winning 3-0 at No. 24 San Diego State. Canady struck out 15 in the one-hit shutout. The total the second-most in Canady's career, and is tied the sixth-most in a single game in program history.
Senior catcher Aly Kaneshiro delivered the deciding score in the sixth inning, driving in sophomore infielder Taryn Kern with an RBI single. Kern had reached third on a triple down the right-field line, her first hit with the Cardinal.
Two batters later, senior outfielder Caelan Koch crushed a homer to center to score Kaneshiro and make it a 3-0 lead for the Card.
Canady's dominant night included three separate three-strikeout innings, including six-straight batters retired by way of strikeout in the fourth and fifth inning. Canady ended the night with a one-two-three seventh inning to wrap up the victory.
River Mahler, Emily Jones and Kyra Chan all recorded their first hits of the season, as Stanford finished the night with seven hits and no errors.
The Card will take on No. 25 Kentucky tomorrow, in day two of the SDSU Season Kickoff. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. PT.