LOS ANGELES – Stanford hit the ball well but could not overcome multiple errors and a strong all-around performance by No. 13/15 UCLA, falling to the Bruins 8-0 in six innings Sunday night.
The Cardinal (13-19, 0-8 Pac-1) put the ball in play regularly throughout the game but saw its hits go directly to UCLA (24-11-1, 6-3-1 Pac-12) fielders or Bruins defenders make quality plays. Five Stanford players registered a hit apiece and the Cardinal left two runners on base in three-of-six innings.
Haley Snyder (7-8) got the start in the circle and kept Stanford lose through the first three innings, permitting just three runs. However, the Cardinal made three errors in the bottom of the fourth inning that contributed to three additional runs and gave the Bruins a commanding 6-0 lead.
Highlights of Stanford's game at UCLA.
UCLA took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Snyder was called for an illegal pitch to bring in a Bruin runner from third.
Stanford nearly tied the game in the top of the third inning. With runners on first and second, Kylie Sorenson delivered the Cardinal's first hit of the game, singling up the middle. Savannah Schulze got a good jump from second and rounded third with pace but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
Spaulding extended the Bruins lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning when she hit a two-run home run that snuck just inside the right-field foul pole.
The Cardinal rallied for three straight singles to lead off the top of the fourth inning and load the bases with no outs. However, a pop out and base running error in the next at-bat, followed by another pop out ended the rally.
UCLA capitalized on three Stanford errors in the bottom half of the inning to double its lead to 6-0.
The Cardinal continued to hit the ball hard but either hit it right at UCLA defenders or the Bruins would make a quality defensive play.
UCLA ended the game in the sixth inning for a run rule decision when Kylee Perez hit a two-RBI single through the right side of the infield to secure the victory and series win.
Stanford will look to take the finale Monday at 7 p.m. (PT). The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.