STANFORD, Calif. – Freshman Teagan Gerhart threw back-to-back no-hitters Saturday, and the 10th-ranked Stanford softball team defeated Princeton, 7-0, and Saint Mary’s, 8-0, in five innings on the second day of the Louisville Slugger Classic at Smith Family Stadium. The Cardinal is now 18-3 on the season and is currently on a four-game winning streak.
Gerhart, who registered her first career perfect game Friday night versus Santa Clara, continued to dominate in the circle for the Cardinal. The Norco, Calif., native pitched 12 scoreless innings, striking out 14 batters while allowing just one walk on Saturday.
The rookie also provided offense for the Cardinal, recording her first hit of the season, a double, versus Princeton. She also sparked a three-run inning versus Saint Mary’s with her first collegiate home run. On the day, Gerhart was 3-5 with three RBI and two extra-base hits.
The two wins were a total team effort by the Cardinal on Saturday as eight of the nine starters recorded at least one hit. Against the Tigers, senior catcher Rosey Neill was 2-4 with two RBI, and the Cardinal tallied five stolen bases. Versus Saint Mary’s, freshman Jenna Rich and senior Shannon Koplitz blasted back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to cause two pitching changes by the Gaels. Stanford has outscored its opponents this weekend 23-0.
In game one on Saturday, Stanford put four runs on the board in the opening inning. Senior Alissa Haber singled up the middle to lead off for the Cardinal. Hansen reached on a fielding error by Princeton short stop Megan Weidrick. Koplitz then singled to left field to start the Stanford rally. Sophomore Maya Burns reached on another fielding error by Weidrick to load the bases. That brought up Neill, who singled through the left side to score both Hansen and Koplitz. Gerhart then recorded her first hit of the season, an RBI double, to give the Cardinal a 4-0 lead.
Stanford added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, to increase its lead to 5-0. Center fielder Sarah Hassman was hit by a pitch to start the inning. She then stole second base and was moved to third as Haber grounded out to the second baseman. Rich hit an RBI single to center field to score Hassman.
The Cardinal capped the scoring in the fifth inning, putting up two more runs for the 7-0 win. Neill led off singling to left center field. Freshman Caitlin Breen entered the game to pinch run for Neill. Sophomore first baseman Jenna Becerra singled to left field to put two runners on base for Stanford. Both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch by the Tigers. Hassman hit an infield RBI single to score Breen, and then Haber hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Becerra.
Freshman Kelsey Gerhart made her first appearance of the season, entering the game at catcher in the seventh inning. Stanford held on to defeat Princeton 7-0.
Against Saint Mary’s, neither team was able to produce any offense until Gerhart led off the bottom of the third inning with her first career home run. Stanford added two more run in the bottom half of the inning for a 3-0 lead.
The Cardinal added another run in the fourth as Haber drew a walk with the bases loaded. Stanford then ended the game, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth, to force the run-rule victory. After Rich and Koplitz recorded the consecutive home runs, Burns was walked and then Neill hit a single to place two runners on the bags for Stanford. Junior Autumn Albers entered the game as a pinch runner for Neill. Burns and Albers moved to third and second, respectively, on an illegal pitch by Saint Mary’s. Gerhart then brought burns home with an RBI single through the left side. Hassman ended the game with a single up the middle to score Albers.
The Cardinal will continue play in the Stanford Louisville Slugger Classic on Sunday with a double-header. Stanford will face Cal Poly at 1:30 p.m. before taking on Saint Mary’s again at 3:45 p.m.