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LSU and Stanford took part in the winner-take-all game to determine the final spot in Oklahoma City for the 2024 Women’s College World Series. Stanford exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to advance and end LSU’s season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The first four innings of the game were mostly a pitcher’s duel with Sydney Berzon and NiJaree Canady as neither pitcher gave up a run. In the fifth, LSU got things going with a double from Maci Bergeron followed by a walk by Madyson Manning and Karli Petty was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. McKenzie Redoutey flew out to center field and then a great throw got the second out at the plate to end the inning.
Stanford started the bottom off with the momentum from the double play and capitalized with a triple from River Mahler before Emily Jones reached on a fielder’s choice to score the run and make it 1-0 Stanford. Later, a single from Ava Gall that appeared to hit off of a Stanford base runner got into right field and scored a second run for the Cardinal. However, due to LSU being out of challenges, the play was not reviewed. The next batter was Aly Kaneshiro who singled to bring home another run to make it 3-0. Caelan Koch got the third consecutive single of the frame to increase the lead to 4-0 and chase Berzon out of the game.
The first pitch from Raelin Chaffin was to Jade Berry, who attacked the first pitch for a three-run homer and a 7-0 lead for Stanford. In the bottom of the sixth, Kaitlyn Lim sent a solo homer over the center field wall to walk off the Tigers and clinch the final spot in Oklahoma City.
BIG NUMBER: 7
After a controversial call, the Cardinal tacked on seven runs in the fifth inning including a three-run homer.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: NiJaree Canady
Canady picked up the win, pitching a complete game shutout while allowing just three hits to the Tigers.