Feb. 7, 2003

PHOENIX - A six-run first inning was enough to push No. 14 Stanford past the UNLV softball team 8-0 at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament on Friday.

The Cardinal (3-1) took advantage of Rebel starter Becky McDonald early, using three singles, a walk and a hit batsman to score first. Stanford's Cassi Brangham then delivered a bases-loaded double to score three more, and a second double in the inning by Meghan Sickler closed the book on McDonald.

UNLV (2-3) was unable to reciprocate as Cardinal starter Laura Severson mowed down the Rebel lineup. Bridget Byrne's two-out bloop in the third was the first and what proved to be the only hit for UNLV.

Stanford tacked on another pair of runs in the bottom of the third off Rebel reliever Jackie Kerrigan to go up 8-0 and force the game to end after five innings.

The loss marked the third straight for UNLV, who continues play in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament throughout the weekend.