Carlson Hits Historic Homer in Loss
STANFORD, Calif. – Ariel Carlson hit an historic home run but No. 6 Stanford outlasted No. 21 Oregon, 3-1, in a pitchers' duel Saturday at Smith Family Stadium.
Carlson's home run in the first inning was her 15th of 2024. With that, she became the first player in program history with a 15-home run, 15-stolen base season. She also moved into a tie for the Pac-12 lead in home runs with California's Elon Butler.
The Ducks (27-18, 12-10) allowed just three runs on six hits but the Cardinal (42-11, 17-4) were a touch better, giving up one run on four hits. Walks were one of the major differences in the game. Oregon pitchers walked six batters, while Stanford walked just one.
How it Happened: Carlson's one-out home run to left field in the first inning gave Oregon an early 1-0 lead.
After the Ducks loaded the bases in the top of the second, but could not push a run across, Stanford took advantage of Oregon's wildness in the circle to score two runs on just one hit. Elise Sokolsky got Kyra Chan to ground out to second for the first out of the inning. Sokolsky then walked Jade Berry before Caelan Koch flew out to center. Two more back-to-back walks to River Mahler and Kaitlyn Lim loaded the bases.
Taryn Kern then singled into right to score Berry. Vallery Wong's throw to home easily beat Mahler to the plate, but it was ruled that she evaded Emma Kauf's tag twice to score the go-ahead run. The disputed play was upheld upon review.
Stanford threatened to add to its lead by loading the bases in the fifth inning, but reliever Taylour Spencer got Berry to pop out to Paige Sinicki at short to end the threat.
Koch homered in the bottom of the sixth for the Cardinal's third run, before Raegan Breedlove came on in relief to get the final two outs.
Sokolsky took the loss, giving up two runs on just one hit and walking five, to fall to 7-3. Spencer allowed one run on four hits.
Notable: Carlson's home run was the 43rd of her career. She trails Gwen Svekis (45/2015-18) by two for third on the UO career list … The homer was also her 26th extra base hit of the season, taking over ninth on the UO single season list … Carlson has a four-game hitting streak, while Katie Flannery extended her streak to three games.
On Deck: The series at Stanford concludes Sunday at 2 p.m. (Pac-12 Network).
Oregon will enter the final day of the regular season with a chance to finish as the No. 3, No. 4 or No. 5 seed for next week's Pac-12 Tournament. An Oregon win coupled with a Washington loss at Utah would give Oregon the three seed. Wins by both the Ducks and Huskies would leave Oregon as the four seed. An Oregon loss tomorrow means the Ducks will be the five seed regardless of what Washington does.
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