No. 18 Stanford rolled through the first two days of the Stanford Louisville Slugger Classic, going 4-0 against the competition to improve to 21-5 on the season. In the process, John Rittman reached an important milestone, as the longtime Cardinal head coach notched his 700th victory Friday night against Florida Gulf Coast with a 2-1 win.
Senior Teagan Gerhart had a fabulous start to the four-team tournament, as the Norco, Calif. product did not allow an earned run over the course of 13 1/3 innings in picking up two victories and her third save in the circle. Gerhart’s best performance came on Saturday night against Florida Gulf Coast, when she allowed only one hit and four total base runners in a five-inning, complete game shutout. Behind Gerhart’s arm, the Card would run-rule the Eagles 8-0.
The senior also pitched a great game on Friday afternoon against Minnesota; the NFCA Second Team All-West Region selection only conceded five hits in eight innings of work as the Cardinal outlasted the Gophers 2-1.
After scoring four runs in two games on Day One of the Louisville Slugger Classic, the bats exploded for the Card during the second go-round with Minnesota and FGCU on Saturday. Stanford pounded 17 runs on Saturday, as the Cardinal outslugged the Gophers 9-7 in the first game of the doubleheader. In the nightcap, Stanford routed the Florida Gulf Coast 8-0 for its first mercy-rule victory of the tournament.
Stanford concludes play at the Louisville Slugger Classic tomorrow against Pacific, with the contest slated for a noon start time at the Smith Family Stadium.
Contact David Cohn at dmcohn ‘at’ stanford.edu.