STANFORD – The California softball (29-15, 6-10 ACC) fell in the series opener to No. 15/16 Stanford (31-8, 10-6 ACC), 7-4, Thursday evening at Stanford Stadium.
 
Elon Butler and Mia Phillips lead the way for the Bears on the offensive side after both recorded a pair of hits while Butler batted two runners across home plate.
 
After a back-and-forth start to the ball game, the score was tied at four apiece after three innings of play.
 
The Bears struck first after great base running in the first inning. With runners on first and third, Acacia Anders stole second base as Butler rushed home to give Cal the early 1-0 advantage.
 
The Cardinal responded by scoring two runs in the bottom half of the first, highlighted by a solo home run from Emily Jones, as Stanford claimed a 2-1 lead.
 
In the second inning, Butler lined a base hit through the left side of the field with the base loaded, allowing two base runners to cross home plate to reclaim the lead.
 
The Cardinal answered in the frame with an RBI single to even the score at 3-3 heading into the third inning.
 
The Bears loaded the bases once again in the third inning. Nailyn Marshall forced a walk, which added another run to the scoreboard.
 
Stanford quickly tied the game after another solo home run in the bottom of the third.
 
The Cardinal held the Bears scoreless for the remainder of the game while they added three additional runs, including two home runs, to pull away with a 7-4 victory.
 
UP NEXT
The two teams return to the field on Friday for the second game of the series, which will start at 6 p.m. PT.
 
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