April 20, 2004

Box Score

Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's softball team broke a seven-game losing streak by beating visiting No. 9 Stanford University in a 2-1 result in game one of Tuesday's non-conference doubleheader. Stanford got the best of the Gaels in the nightcap however, defeating SMC in a 7-0 shutout. The Gaels end the day at 10-37, while the Pac-10 Stanford softball team moves to 35-12 after playing in Moraga.

Stanford scored a run in the top of the third on three hits, starting with a single and a double. With a Cardinal on third, Jessica Allister hit a single, enabling the runner to score and put Stanford up 1-0.

The Gaels wasted no time and put a run on the board in the bottom of that inning, to tie the game. Marcia-Marie Euker led off with a single, and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Next Shelly Taketa reached on balls, before Eleni Papailias singled through the right side for an RBI.

Saint Mary's went ahead the next inning, and never looked back. Euker reached first on a walk to start the fourth. Then designated hitter Taketa took advantage of the scoring opportunity and swung for a double that allowed Euker to cross the plate and put the Gaels up one over the Cardinal.

Stanford combined for one hit and no runs over the next three innings for the 2-1 loss.

Pitcher Jennifer Eaton (6-21) picked up the victory. She threw the entire game, allowing six hits, one run, two walks, while striking out a total of five Cardinal.

Papailias, Jordann Bass, Jennifer Arnold, Euker, and Taketa helped total five hits for the home team. Euker finished the game 1-for-1 with a pair of walks and two runs. Taketa went 2-for-1 with a double that drew in a runner.

Saint Mary's had trouble driving runs in during the 7-0 shutout by Stanford. They ended the game with two hits to Stanford's five. The visiting team scored a run in the first on one hit. Stanford added four more runs in the top of the third on a combination of a walk, an error, a wild pitch, and a double. The Cardinal waited until the last inning to post two insurance runs, in credit to a walk, a pop up, and a double.

The Gaels earned their two hits in the second and fourth innings, but were unable to capitalize on them.

Leading the team in hits was Arnold, who went 1-for-2 and Lauren Mello, who hit 1-for-3.

Starting in the circle was Kate Albaugh (0-3), who took the loss. Albaugh pitched 2.2 innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, and two walks. Lisa Bautista (4-11) took over for the starter, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and three walks.

The Gaels return to the field on Saturday when they travel to Portland State for a pair of doubleheaders. The first game is scheduled for a Noon start in Oregon.