[d4cohn]

Hated to be the one top post but lost to cal 5-2 today.  Big setback.

Winning on the road in the Pac is tough for a multitude of reasons (home crowd, travel etc.) in general,
so if we want to finish with a .500 or better Pac record (which would likely put us in the conversation to,
if not definitely host a regional), we generally need to win our home series (2 out of 3 at least) and at least steal one game on the road.
Granted, this Cal team is definitely in the bottom part of the Pac, and we will face some tough teams at home
coming up (including an ASU squad that swept us on the Farm in 2019), so we could use some cushion.

But even taking 1 from this series would be an ok, albeit not great result (though that would increase the pressure on us to take care of business
at home against ASU and Oregon).

---

Hated to be the one top post but lost to cal 5-2 today.  Big setback.

Regarding the game itself, this one was unfortunately defined by a rough start for Alana Vawter (who
has been amazing this year; unfortunately, this was by far her worst start of the year). But given
how great she has been this season, it is probably remarkable she went the first two months of the season
without a bad start or two. 

But that happens, and an inning that snowballed turned a Stanford lead into a 5-1 margin for the Bears
that is very hard for a team to overcome (particularly given the style of softball we have to play given
offense/HR hitting isn't our strong suit)

All in all, it is a setback, but if we win the final two and the series, we will have more than accomplished
the job for this weekend.

[d4cohn]

Hated to be the one top post but lost to cal 5-2 today.  Big setback.

Winning on the road in the Pac is tough for a multitude of reasons (home crowd, travel etc.) in general,
so if we want to finish with a .500 or better Pac record (which would likely put us in the conversation to,
if not definitely host a regional), we generally need to win our home series (2 out of 3 at least) and at least steal one game on the road.
Granted, this Cal team is definitely in the bottom part of the Pac, and we will face some tough teams at home
coming up (including an ASU squad that swept us on the Farm in 2019), so we could use some cushion.

But even taking 1 from this series would be an ok, albeit not great result (though that would increase the pressure on us to take care of business
at home against ASU and Oregon).

---

Hated to be the one top post but lost to cal 5-2 today.  Big setback.

Regarding the game itself, this one was unfortunately defined by a rough start for Alana Vawter (who
has been amazing this year; unfortunately, this was by far her worst start of the year). But given
how great she has been this season, it is probably remarkable she went the first two months of the season
without a bad start or two. 

But that happens, and an inning that snowballed turned a Stanford lead into a 5-1 margin for the Bears
that is very hard for a team to overcome (particularly given the style of softball we have to play given
offense/HR hitting isn't our strong suit)

All in all, it is a setback, but if we win the final two and the series, we will have more than accomplished
the job for this weekend.

[d4cohn]

Stanford fell in 10 innings 6-5. Cardinal had a much better game offensively,
but Cal has continued to find success against Alana Vawter, the Card
blew the save in the B10 with the Bears scoring the final two runs.

[d4cohn]

Stanford fell in 10 innings 6-5. Cardinal had a much better game offensively,
but Cal has continued to find success against Alana Vawter, the Card
blew the save in the B10 with the Bears scoring the final two runs.

[mbdude]

that non slide at home in the top of 6th hurt Stanford, runner probably been safe

[mbdude]

that non slide at home in the top of 6th hurt Stanford, runner probably been safe

[BobK]

Agree on the non slide
Lots of rain today going to be hard to play

[BobK]

Agree on the non slide
Lots of rain today going to be hard to play

[BobK]

Kylie Chung with her 2nd AB in the season hits a 2 run HR the Carrmouche in her first start on the year hits a HR and Vawter pitched great as Stanford wins today 5-1.

[BobK]

Kylie Chung with her 2nd AB in the season hits a 2 run HR the Carrmouche in her first start on the year hits a HR and Vawter pitched great as Stanford wins today 5-1.

[d4cohn]

Kylie Chung with her 2nd AB in the season hits a 2 run HR the Carrmouche in her first start on the year hits a HR and Vawter pitched great as Stanford wins today 5-1.

Stanford also got some help from other action in the Pac, as Washington swept Oregon State in Seattle.

Cardinal are now tied for 3rd place in the Pac, and with a .500 conference record, and its wins in the non-conference, can firmly be in the top 16 regional seed
conversation at the end of the season if the Card are able to maintain this performance in the second half of conference play.

[d4cohn]

Kylie Chung with her 2nd AB in the season hits a 2 run HR the Carrmouche in her first start on the year hits a HR and Vawter pitched great as Stanford wins today 5-1.

Stanford also got some help from other action in the Pac, as Washington swept Oregon State in Seattle.

Cardinal are now tied for 3rd place in the Pac, and with a .500 conference record, and its wins in the non-conference, can firmly be in the top 16 regional seed
conversation at the end of the season if the Card are able to maintain this performance in the second half of conference play.

[BobK]

Stanford beat Sacramento State twice today. 4-2 and 5-0

[BobK]

Stanford beat Sacramento State twice today. 4-2 and 5-0

[BobK]

Another big win beating #10 ASU 4-1. Vawter with a 3 hitter

[BobK]

Another big win beating #10 ASU 4-1. Vawter with a 3 hitter

[d4cohn]

Another big win beating #10 ASU 4-1.  Vawter with a 3 hitter

Stanford with a dominant performance in circle and on defense once Cardinal jumped out to 4-1 lead in 2nd and 3rd innings. ASU's 20 game win streak is over (as well as their 12 game streak in the Pac). Stanford is now 7-6 in the Pac and (was solo third in the conference for a couple hours; Pac-12 website had UW-UO score wrong, UW is about to run-rule the Ducks).

Stanford's chances to be in the regional host conversation very much alive after tonight's great performance.

[d4cohn]

Another big win beating #10 ASU 4-1.  Vawter with a 3 hitter

Stanford with a dominant performance in circle and on defense once Cardinal jumped out to 4-1 lead in 2nd and 3rd innings. ASU's 20 game win streak is over (as well as their 12 game streak in the Pac). Stanford is now 7-6 in the Pac and (was solo third in the conference for a couple hours; Pac-12 website had UW-UO score wrong, UW is about to run-rule the Ducks).

Stanford's chances to be in the regional host conversation very much alive after tonight's great performance.

[d4cohn]

ASU takes Game #2 3-1. Reagan Krause delivered a solid start, and the Cardinal actually outhit the Sun Devils.

However, the efficiency that Cardinal displayed last night was not there today.

Stanford still in solid position to take the series with ace Alana Vawter likely back in the circle tomorrow.

[d4cohn]

ASU takes Game #2 3-1. Reagan Krause delivered a solid start, and the Cardinal actually outhit the Sun Devils.

However, the efficiency that Cardinal displayed last night was not there today.

Stanford still in solid position to take the series with ace Alana Vawter likely back in the circle tomorrow.

[Softball Fan]

ASU takes Game #2 3-1. Reagan Krause delivered a solid start, and the Cardinal actually outhit the Sun Devils.

However, the efficiency that Cardinal displayed last night was not there today.

Stanford still in solid position to take the series with ace Alana Vawter likely back in the circle tomorrow.

Stanford SB website says tomorrow's noontime game is SOLD OUT.   How many Stanford athletic events were sold out this year?

[Softball Fan]

ASU takes Game #2 3-1. Reagan Krause delivered a solid start, and the Cardinal actually outhit the Sun Devils.

However, the efficiency that Cardinal displayed last night was not there today.

Stanford still in solid position to take the series with ace Alana Vawter likely back in the circle tomorrow.

Stanford SB website says tomorrow's noontime game is SOLD OUT.   How many Stanford athletic events were sold out this year?

[BobK]

It’s at least the 4th softball game

[BobK]

It’s at least the 4th softball game

[Softball Fan]

ASU gets two home runs in the top of the first.

Website said sold out but plenty of empty seats.

[Softball Fan]

ASU gets two home runs in the top of the first.

Website said sold out but plenty of empty seats.

[BobK]

Stanford doesn’t sell lawn seats for softball or baseball. You buy a regular ticket then go to the lawn thus empty seats.
Stanford with a brobdingnagian win behind Vawter 4-2. Another win over a top 10 team.

[BobK]

Stanford doesn’t sell lawn seats for softball or baseball. You buy a regular ticket then go to the lawn thus empty seats.
Stanford with a brobdingnagian win behind Vawter 4-2. Another win over a top 10 team.

[BostonCard]

And a series win over ASU, who had been previously undefeated in PAC-12 play!

BC

[BostonCard]

And a series win over ASU, who had been previously undefeated in PAC-12 play!

BC

[d4cohn]

And a series win over ASU, who had been previously undefeated in PAC-12 play!

BC

We are the only team in Pac play to deliver losses to ASU, as well as UCLA (UW, UO, Oregon State, UA etc. all swept by one or both of these teams; and for record, each of these teams suffered at least one home sweep loss, so it wasn't just a matter of home field). And not only that, series wins against both.

Stanford will be in the hunt to host right down to the wire. Next week could be the decider as far as regional host/3rd place in the Pac, as the Card travel to Seattle to take on UW. Even though we did not win our first two road series, both series were extremely tight, and we are more than capable of winning that series.

To me at least, the eye test and important metrics say we definitely should be a regional host. The most important metric (RPI) still has us with work to do to make it happen.

[d4cohn]

And a series win over ASU, who had been previously undefeated in PAC-12 play!

BC

We are the only team in Pac play to deliver losses to ASU, as well as UCLA (UW, UO, Oregon State, UA etc. all swept by one or both of these teams; and for record, each of these teams suffered at least one home sweep loss, so it wasn't just a matter of home field). And not only that, series wins against both.

Stanford will be in the hunt to host right down to the wire. Next week could be the decider as far as regional host/3rd place in the Pac, as the Card travel to Seattle to take on UW. Even though we did not win our first two road series, both series were extremely tight, and we are more than capable of winning that series.

To me at least, the eye test and important metrics say we definitely should be a regional host. The most important metric (RPI) still has us with work to do to make it happen.

[BobK]

First ranking has Stanford at 23

[BobK]

First ranking has Stanford at 23

[d4cohn]

First ranking has Stanford at 23

Great to see us back in the polls, but the biggest ranking news of the day was our RPI moving up 8 spots to 26. An RPI of 26 still isn't quite in regional host range yet (we generally want to be in the low to mid 20's or lower), but with our matchup at RPI 13 Washington this weekend (plus subsequent matchups against RPI 21 Oregon), if we perform well in the final three Pac series, our RPI will take care of itself as far as getting us into regional host conversation territory.

[d4cohn]

First ranking has Stanford at 23

Great to see us back in the polls, but the biggest ranking news of the day was our RPI moving up 8 spots to 26. An RPI of 26 still isn't quite in regional host range yet (we generally want to be in the low to mid 20's or lower), but with our matchup at RPI 13 Washington this weekend (plus subsequent matchups against RPI 21 Oregon), if we perform well in the final three Pac series, our RPI will take care of itself as far as getting us into regional host conversation territory.

[BobK]

In the four polls Stanford is ranked 15, 21, 23 and 24

[BobK]

In the four polls Stanford is ranked 15, 21, 23 and 24

[d4cohn]

Stanford an easy 4-0 winner in the midweek over Pacific. Harder and critical test comes from the Huskies this weekend.

[d4cohn]

Stanford an easy 4-0 winner in the midweek over Pacific. Harder and critical test comes from the Huskies this weekend.