UCLA
Stanford
Bruin Softball Drops Extra-Inning Decision to Stanford
April 28, 2000 | Softball
April 28, 2000
LOS ANGELES - The third-ranked UCLA softball team lost a 10-inning decision to No. 11 Stanford on Friday afternoon, 2-1. In a battle of last week's Pac-10 Co-Pitchers of the week, UCLA's Amanda Freed took the loss and fell to 17-6, while Stanford's Dana Sorenson is now 20-6. Overall, the Cardinal is now 39-12, 5-8 Pac-10, while UCLA falls to 33-8, 8-4 Pac-10.
The game started in interesting fashion, as Lauren Gellman struck out twice in a row for the first two outs of the third inning. Gellman batted incorrectly for the first strikeout, which was charged to the correct batter, Cassi Brangham. Gellman then stepped into the box again, and was dispatched with the second of Freed's seven strikeouts in the game.
Both teams had chances in the first nine innings of play, but were unable to capitalize. Prior to the implementation of the International Tiebreak Rule (ITB) beginning in the 10th inning, UCLA had left three runners on base to Stanford's five.
Beginning in the top of the 10th inning, the ITB rule placed the last out of the previous inning on second base to begin the inning. For Stanford, that runner was cather Kellie Wiginton. Designated player Maureen LeCocq struck out for the first out of the inning before Jenni Shideler walked. The bases became loaded when UCLA's Julie Marshall was called for catchers interference and Brangham was placed on first base.
Gellman then walked to bring home the first run of the game. Stanford's other run was scored on a RBI single to left field by shortstop Robin Walker, but Gellman became caught in a rundown between second and third base for the third out of the inning.
In the bottom of the frame, UCLA's ITB runner was second baseman Lyndsey Klein, who scored on Marshall's leadoff RBI single, but that was all the offense the Bruins could muster.
UCLA returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. for a Pac-10 matchup against No. 9 California. Softball fans are advised to come early, as there are several events on campus, including the Bruin Football spring game and the Los Angeles Times Book Fair. Both events will impact parking on campus.
