May 12, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

Cardinal clinging to lead

by Rick Eymer

With nine games remaining to play in the Pac-10 baseball race, Stanford suddenly finds itself without much breathing room after losing two of three to host Washington over the weekend.

Stanford's 7-2 victory on Saturday was sandwiched by losses on Friday, 3-2 in 10 innings, and 9-2 on Sunday, leaving the Huskies a half-game from conference leader Stanford.

Stanford (11-4, 37-8) travels to Arizona to begin a three-game series with the Wildcats on Saturday at 7 p.m. Game time on Sunday is 7 p.m., followed by Monday's 1 p.m. contest.

Washington (12-6, 28-15-1) has a three-game set at USC this weekend. UCLA (8-7, 26-23) is in third place, three games off the pace.

"It's good to have a challenge every year before the postseason," said Stanford outfielder Danny Putnam, who hit a home run on Sunday. "The key will be to see how we respond to that challenge."

The Cardinal had trouble against Huskies pitcher Tim Lincecum, who struck out 13 in eight innings and allowed solo home runs to Putnam and Chris Carter among seven hits.

"Tim Lincecum pitched a great game and pretty much dominated us," said Stanford coach Mark Marquess. "We really didn't much going at all the entire game."

Lincecum also won Friday's game with two innings of scoreless relief.

The series loss ended a streak of 15 consecutive regular season three-game series victories.

Arizona last won a series against Stanford, in April of last season.

Greg Reynolds (3-1) suffered his first collegiate loss, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks in 2 1-3 innings as Stanford fell to 4-5 in its last nine road games.

The loss was also Stanford's worst of the season, coming on the heels of four one-run losses.

Sam Fuld singled, and now has 340 for his career, 28 shy of Stanford and Pac-10 career leader John Gall.

Jeff Gilmore (8-2) pitched seven strong innings in Saturday's victory, which included a 57-minute rain delay. He gave up two runs on six hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Jed Lowrie doubled three times and drove in a run.

Chris Minaker tied his career high with three hits, while Fuld and Putnam each had two.

On Friday, a one-out single from Nick Batkoski with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th provided the winning margin.

Jeff Stimpson (1-2) took the loss, retiring just one batter in the 10th.

Mark Romanczuk missed an opportunity to become the Pac-10's first 10-game winner despite throwing a career-high tying nine innings and allowing just two runs on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.
Softball

Stanford has a chance to finish second in the Pac-10 heading into the final week of play despite losing two of three home games over the weekend.

The Cardinal (11-7, 41-15) defeated Washington, 5-1, on Friday night but lost to UCLA, 6-2 on Saturday and 7-1 on Sunday.

Stanford travels to Oregon for a 2 p.m. game on Friday, then heads to Oregon State for a Saturday doubleheader for a chance at its best conference finish ever. The Cardinal were third in 1998.

A sweep of the Oregon schools would clinch second place for Stanford. Washington, California and UCLA all have eight losses.

Stanford has never finished higher than Washington or Arizona, which clinched the Pac-10 title over the weekend.

Michelle Thiry drove in two runs in Stanford's win over the Huskies. Leah Nelson and Jessica Allister also drove in runs. Lauren Lappin had two hits.

Dana Sorensen pitched a five-hitter for the victory, striking out six.

In Saturday's loss, Allister hit a two-run homer for the Cardinal. Laura Severson took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings.
Tennis

Stanford (23-0) begins its quest for an NCAA title on Friday when the Cardinal women meet Quinnipiac (16-4) in a first-round match of the NCAA team tournament at 2 p.m. at the Taube Tennis Center

Denver (20-1) and Michigan (16-6) meet in another first-round match at 10 a.m., with the winners meet Saturday at 3 p.m.

Stanford, the nation's top-ranked team, is the national No. 2 seed behind defending national champion Florida.

The No. 10-ranked Stanford men's team will open NCAA play Saturday with a home match against Pacific at noon. Washington and New Mexico will open at 9 a.m. The winners meet Sunday at noon.
Women's lacrosse

Stanford lost to California, 11-10, in the championship game of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament on Saturday.

Megan Burker led the Cardinal (9-9) with three goals and an assist, while Liz Piselli added two scores. Christina Saikus recorded a game-high 12 saves.

Burker, Piselli, Kim Cahill and Saikus were named to the MPSF All-Tournament team.

Stanford advanced to the championship game with a 17-3 win over UC Davis as Burker had three goals and two assists. Piselli, Kelsey Twist and Nina Pantano each added two.
Track and field

Evan Fox ran a season-best 1:50.51 in the 800 meters and qualified for the NCAA Regional as several Stanford athletes competed on Saturday at the Sacramento State Open.

Fox ran the third best time for a Stanford 800 meter runner this year.

In the 100 meters, Stanley Wilson won his race in 10.69.

Stanford's Kitty Currier, Lindsay Brisbin and Stephanie Benight swept the top three places in the discus, with Currier throwing 153-4 to win the event.

In Tucson, Nicholas Taylor recorded a career-best 6,501 points to finish ninth in Saturday's Pac-10 Decathlon championships.

Tommy Skipper of Oregon won the competition with 7,589 points.
Women's golf

Stanford shot a 293 on the final day of competition at the NCAA West Regional on the Stanford Golf Course to finish third, with a three-round total of 883, and advance to the NCAA Championships.

UCLA won the Regional with a three-under par 861 while California was second with an 868.

Bruins' Hannah Jun took top individual honors with a three-round total of 7-under par 209. Stanford was led by Stephanie Lue, who finished 10th with a 3-over par 219.

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