Stanford softball’s season ends in regional final

In their sixth straight appearance in the NCAA softball playoffs, Stanford (42-13, 16–8 ACC) suffered elimination at the Eugene regionals, hosted by No. 16 Oregon (51–8, 19–3 Big Ten). In the double-elimination contest, they defeated Binghamton (36–14, 16–2 America East) while losing two of three games from Oregon.

For the first time since the 2021 season, Stanford softball started the postseason on the road, after narrowly missing out on a top-16 seed. Stanford’s first game was a commanding 9–2 win against the Binghamton Bearcats on Friday. A softly-hit single by junior River Mahler followed by a line drive double by sophomore Jade Berry allowed the Cardinal batters to take the lead in the first inning, who never looked back, scoring in each of the first four innings and maintaining that lead the entire game. 

The Cardinal offense was anchored by a four-hit performance by graduate student Caelan Koch, who drove in a run in each of the third and fourth innings on a double and single, respectively. Stanford’s offensive performance was largely a testament to their lineup depth and patience at the plate. All nine starters reached base safely over six offensive innings, with all but two reaching base multiple times.

On the other side of the ball, Stanford’s pitchers threw a clean game as the defense kept the Bearcats from reaching base. Senior starter Kylie Chung earned her 15th win of the season over five innings of work. Her seven strikeouts were just one shy of the career high she set earlier this season, as she gave up just three hits and walks apiece.

In relief of Chung was freshman pitcher Zoe Prystajko, who pitched two hitless innings to close the game. Efficient pitching in the opening matchup was crucial for Stanford as they carried just three pitchers on their team.

The Cardinal played just one game on Saturday, a decisive mercy rule victory against Oregon. Stanford batters plated 14 runs while giving up just one, ending the game in just six innings. Chung started Saturday’s game as well, but sophomore Alyssa Houston pitched the bulk of the game, throwing four and a third innings while giving up just one run.

Stanford scored a run on two consecutive hits to start the game, and like Friday, never relinquished the lead. A leadoff single by junior Taryn Kern was followed by another single by junior Emily Jones. Freshman Joie Economides hit a solo home run in the second inning, during which starter Elise Sokolsky left the game.

Oregon ace Lyndsey Grein, who had pitched a complete game shutout on Friday, came in relief. Over three innings of work, she gave up solo home runs to senior Allie Clements in the fourth inning and Mahler in the fifth.

Stanford plated nine runs in a decisive sixth inning, where they came to the plate fourteen times, combining for five hits and two walks. Cardinal batters showed off their small ball capabilities as all of their offensive production in the sixth came without any home runs or extra base hits. The Ducks pitching staff gave up their most runs in nine years. 

Starting on Saturday evening, Oregon won three straight elimination games to secure victory in their regional tournament. After defeating Weber State (29–32, 8-7 Big Sky), the Ducks took the first Sunday game by storm, run-ruling Stanford 15–5 over six innings. Oregon scored seven runs in the first two innings and maintained a healthy lead throughout the game. It was a rough start for Chung on the mound, and it was not much better for Prystajko.

In relief, Prystajko threw three and two thirds innings, over which she gave up six runs, five of which were earned. Cardinal bats showed some signs of offense, as Clements hit a solo home run in the second inning and drove in sophomore Kiley Buckley in the fourth, but the overwhelming offense from the Ducks forced Stanford into a winner-take-all game later on Sunday.

As the first game got away from Stanford, the Cardinal opted to rest Houston, who had been their most effective pitcher in Eugene. To start the game, Stanford quickly capitalized on a defensive error by Oregon catcher Cox, who bobbled a foul pop-up in a two out, bases loaded situation. Economides, with new life in that at bat, hit a grand slam to give the Cardinal a 4–0 lead in the first inning. After Oregon’s Katie Flannery responded in the bottom of the second with a three-run home run, Economides hit another home run — this time, with two runners on base — to put the Cardinal up 7–3. 

The seven RBI performance by Economides would be the highlight of the Stanford offense, which would not bring any more runs across the plate. Oregon would instead chip away at the Stanford lead, as Cox, atoning for her earlier error, drove in Paige Sinicki on a home run in the third inning. As Houston continued her start into the fifth inning, her command began to wane as two wild pitches and a defensive error brought in Oregon’s sixth run.

Oregon would tie the game in the sixth inning on a triple by Dezianna Patmon and a two-out squeeze play by Kai Luschar. Patmon won the game for the Ducks in the seventh on a three run, walk-off home run, ending Stanford’s playoff run. Head coach Jessica Allister praised her team despite the loss.

“We’ve been resilient and tough and stuck together and cared most about the team,” said Allister. “This might be my favorite team I’ve ever coached… we will be back and we will be ready… but I’m just incredibly proud of this group.”

As Stanford concludes its season, they bid farewell to a senior class that boasts two trips to the Women’s College World Series and another to a Super Regional. That class includes two-way player Kylie Chung, catcher Allie Clements, infielder Camryn Carmouche and outfielder Dani Hayes, as well as graduate student outfielder Caelen Koch and infielder Ella Nadeau, who retired earlier this year due to injury.

Stanford softball will return in 2026 in the newly-renovated Stanford Softball Stadium and featuring an incoming class of eight recruits, who will join a team with seven all-conference honorees, all of whom are expected to return to Stanford.

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