Stanford dropped a 4-1 decision to UNLV

Recap, photo courtesy of Stanford

STANFORD, Calif. - Locked in another close game against UNLV on Sunday afternoon, No. 22 Stanford (19-4) ran into trouble in the fifth inning, surrendering four runs to the Rebels (19-5) en route to dropping the game by a score of 4-1 to close play from the Cardinal Classic.

The loss to UNLV was the second in as many days, as the Rebels won a 1-0 pitchers' duel on Saturday night. Sunday's loss came in six innings, as the two teams did not resume playing after entering a rain delay in the top of the seventh.

Senior Carolyn Lee got the start and took the loss for Stanford, dealing 4.0-plus innings and allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts.

Lee surrendered a leadoff single in the fifth inning of the scoreless contest – spelling the end of her day in the circle. Kiana Pancino took over for the Card and promptly walked the next two hitters to load the bases. Lauryn Barker delivered the RBI with a productive out on the ensuing play before Reina Bondi laced a two-RBI triple off the glove of a diving Alyssa Horeczko in left field to run the tally to 3-0. Bondi would cap the scoring run one play later as Lauren Tycksen lofted a sac fly to centerfield.

The Cardinal would scratch a run across in the fifth as well, with Emily Young scampering home on a wild pitch, but that would be all the damage the Card could muster in the game.

Breana Burke earned the victory after logging 4.1 innings and allowing just the one run on four hits with four strikeouts. Jenny Bressler, who tossed the complete-game shutout on Saturday, hurled the final 1.2 innings after inheriting two runners in the fifth. For her efforts, Bressler was credited with her first career save.

Stanford will now take a break from action due to finals, returning to open Pac-12 play at California on March 23.