Stanford softball delivers perfect opening weekend
No. 18 Stanford softball (4-0, 0-0 ACC) is off to a perfect start at Stanford Stadium, winning their first four games of the season this past weekend.
The move to Stanford Stadium marks the first time in nearly three decades that the team is playing away from Boyd & Jill Smith Family Stadium, their longtime home since 1997. The stadium has hosted numerous NCAA Regional and Super Regional tournaments, including the last three seasons.
The football stadium will be the temporary home for the softball squad as the new Stanford Softball Stadium is under construction. The new stadium is expected to be ready for next year’s softball season.
Stanford softball is looking to build upon a 50-win season last year, which is the second-most in program history. The team is also coming off of two consecutive trips to the Women’s College World Series, and they’ve got their sights set on a third.
The Cardinal’s season opening win against Seattle University on Feb. 7, a day after their game against Long Beach State was cancelled due to weather, was led by a dominant pitching performance. Sophomore Alyssa Houston and senior Kylie Chung allowed only two hits for the Redhawks batters, while tallying 11 strikeouts. Graduate student outfielder Caelan Koch delivered a two-out single in the third inning, driving a pair of runs and building a 5-2 lead for Stanford. Both offenses could not produce any more runs in the final four innings, and Stanford secured the win.
The following day, the Cardinal had a doubleheader, with one of the games being a rematch against Seattle. The day started off with another impressive pitching performance from Chung and Houston for a 3-0 win over the Fresno State Bulldogs, despite the Bulldogs not striking out once. The duo racked up six strikeouts while once again surrendering only two hits to the away team. Freshman infielder Joie Economides recorded the first home run for the Cardinal in Stanford Stadium, blasting a two-run shot in the second inning.
After a relatively quiet game for Stanford’s bats, the offense came alive during Saturday’s second game. In a rematch against the Redhawks, the Cardinal offense produced 17 runs, prompting the run-ahead rule and sealing the 17-7 victory after just five innings. The 17 runs against Seattle are tied for the third-most in a single game in program history.
In a game where Stanford faced an early 0-3 deficit after a three-run homerun from the Redhawks in the first inning, the Cardinal batters came with a balanced approach at the plate. Stanford’s 11 hits, including five doubles, were coupled with 11 walks. Up and down the lineup Stanford batters were getting on base at a high clip, which helped create a seven-run second inning and a six-run fourth inning.
Stanford finished the opening weekend with a dominant 10-2 win over Fresno State, marking the second game in a row that ended after five innings due to the Cardinal’s explosive offense.
Stanford freshman infielder Sydney Boulaphinh made a statement in her collegiate debut, crushing a two-run homer in her first at-bat to walk off Fresno State in run-rule fashion.
The dominant start to the season is even more impressive considering the loss of pitcher NiJaree Canady. The 2024 Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, who transferred to Texas Tech in the off-season with a landmark $1 million NIL deal, leaves a notable void in the pitching lineup. These early performances, however, suggest that the current pitching staff is prepared to step up.
Looking ahead, Stanford will look to preserve their perfect start as they host another tournament, the Cardinal Classic, at Stanford Stadium this weekend. The Cardinal is set to kick off the weekend with a game against the UC Davis Aggies. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
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