March 1, 2002

Box Score

ST. GEORGE, Utah - Stanford's Kira Ching hit two home runs, including a game-winner to lead the Cardinal to an 8-0 victory over the UNLV softball team at the Utah Red Desert Classic on Friday.

Ching hit a solo shot in the fourth inning off Rebel starter Nicole Truax, but delivered her key two-run blast in the bottom of the sixth off reliever Kacey Ellis. The latter hit put the Cardinal ahead by eight and end the game on a mercy rule.

Stanford (14-2) was equally dominant in the circle. Tori Nyberg struck out 10 and threw a complete game shutout to improve to an impressive 9-1 on the season. UNLV (9-10) managed just four hits off the Cardinal's ace and never advanced a runner past second.

It was the second straight loss for Truax (2-3), who gave up six singles and the solo home run against three strikeouts, and marks the first time this season that the Rebels have ended a game in fewer than seven innings.