STANFORD, Calif. – Alyssa Jepsen hit an RBI-double as part of a two-run third inning for Santa Clara, but homestanding and 13th-ranked Stanford responded with six runs in the third and fourth innings to go on and win 9-2.

Ranked No. 13 in the latest NFCA Top 25 Poll, Stanford (26-6; 0-3 Pac-12) boasts a pitching staff ERA of 2.26. On Wednesday, junior Teagan Gerhart came on to get freshman teammate Nyree White out of a one-out bases loaded jam, to preserve a 5-2 lead in the fourth.

Gerhart fanned the first two Bronco batters she faced and gave the Cardinal offense the momentum they needed to post at four-run inning, which put the game out of reach at 9-2.

Carissa Theis was impressive in relief for Santa Clara (5-25; 0-0 PCSC), throwing two-plus shutout innings in relief of freshman Briana Rios and Jaymi Bautista-Geiger. Offensively, Jepsen finished the day with a double, RBI and run for SCU. Kelly Scribner added two hits, going 2 for 4.

The Broncos are preparing for their Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC) opener, which is Saturday at LMU.