Junior pitcher Missy Penna did not allow a run for the fourth straight game, the Cardinal scored a season-best eight runs and Stanford softball improved to 5-0 on the early year with a dominating 8-0 win over Saint Mary’s yesterday.

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Stanford Daily File Photo

Junior Maddie Coon scored two runs in yesterday’s 8-0 win over Saint Mary’s. Now 5-0 on the year, the Card will host the Stanford Invitational this weekend.

The game was called after the fifth inning; Stanford won by virtue of a mercy rule after finishing the first five innings with an eight-run lead.

“It’s great,” Penna said of the team’s hot start to the season. “I think we’re trying to set the tone for the rest of the season, so coming off with a lot of wins puts us on the right track to do well in the future. We’re trying to set the tone for our future games and every game we play.”

The Cardinal broke the game open in the third inning after loading the bases. Sophomore outfielder Alissa Haber scored after senior Michelle Smith drew a walk; sophomore catcher Rosey Neill then singled to left field, scoring two runners after the Gaels committed an error in the outfield. Freshman Melisa Koutz capped off Stanford’s scoring effort with a sacrifice fly, solidifying the Cardinal’s 4-0 lead.

Senior second baseman Tricia Aggabao, who went 2-3 on the game, was pleased with the team’s fifth straight victory to begin the season.

“We’re feeling great,” Aggabao said. “It’s the start of the season, and it feels good to get started with the right foot forward . . . It’s exciting to see everyone playing well right now, especially at the start of our season.”

Penna, winning her fourth game of the year, did not give up a hit in four innings of work. The junior was named National Player of the Week by USA Softball for her performance at the San Diego Tournament, where she tossed three shutouts and threw a no-hitter against host University of San Diego. Despite the accolades according with her hot start to the season, Penna could not help her humble nature.

“Every game our goal is to win so I’m going to try to do my part as a pitcher,” she said after Wednesday’s win. “I just go out there and try to do my job. If they score or they don’t score, as long as we score more than they do, I’m happy with the win.”

When asked about her scoreless innings streak — Penna has now pitched 25 innings this season without allowing a run — the junior did not buy into any of the hype.

“It’ll happen,” Penna said of the ending of her streak. “It’s inevitable.”

Freshman Ashley Chinn relieved Penna for the final inning of the game, giving up a hit and throwing a walk before securing the 8-0 victory for the Cardinal.

The pitching of Penna and Chinn has carried the team so far in the early season; after its first five games, Stanford has given up exactly one run. And although the team figures to see stronger competition from opposing batters in the future, it is hard not to notice the work of the Cardinal pitchers so far.

“Our whole pitching staff has been working hard the entire season and Missy [Penna] definitely puts the time in, throws the ball really well and is hitting her spots,” Aggabao said. “She’s definitely been leading us from the circle this season.”

Yesterday’s win was an offensive explosion of sorts for Stanford, who averaged less than three runs a game in its opening weekend of play.

“I think everybody had a plan before we got into the box; we picked up the pitchers’ tendencies and we all had a plan before we stepped foot in the box and it definitely helped us in our offense attack,” Aggabao added.

With five wins under its belt, the Cardinal now prepares to host the Stanford Invitational. The team is slated to play several games over the weekend, with upcoming matches scheduled against Santa Clara, Wichita State and Pacific. The tournament begins tomorrow and will run through Sunday.