The No. 8 Stanford Softball team will head to Fullerton, Calif. this weekend to take part in the Worth Classic. The Cardinal will play five games over the course of the three day tournament, with its biggest test coming in a showdown with the No. 5 Florida Gators slated for Sunday morning.

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Freshman pitcher Ashley Chinn and the No. 8 Cardinal will square off against No. 5 Florida at the Worth Classic in Fullerton, Calif. this weekend, where Stanford looks to build on its nearly perfect start to the 2008 season. #gallery http://daily.stanford.org/image/full/8674
Jeff Keacher

Freshman pitcher Ashley Chinn and the No. 8 Cardinal will square off against No. 5 Florida at the Worth Classic in Fullerton, Calif. this weekend, where Stanford looks to build on its nearly perfect start to the 2008 season.

Stanford is off to a dominant start this season, having posted a 16-1 record with three wins over nationally-ranked opponents to open the 2008 campaign.

After getting off to a school-record 15-0 start, the Cardinal suffered its lone loss of the season last Sunday at the hands of Texas, falling 3-1 in its final game of the Palm Springs Classic.

Stanford was able to bounce back in its only game this week, however, with a 6-0 shutout against Providence on Wednesday. Freshman pitcher Ashley Chinn went 5.2 innings and allowed the Friars just four hits to get the win for the Cardinal.

Sophomore center fielder Alissa Haber led the way for Stanford offensively, going 2-4 with two runs scored, including a homerun to lead off the game. Sophomore catcher Rosey Neill chipped in a pair of hits and two RBI.

For the season, Stanford has overwhelmed its opponents with hot hitting and exceptional pitching thanks, in large part, to several strong individual performances.

Neill has paced the Cardinal offensively thus far this season, leading the team in all three Triple Crown categories. For the year, she is batting .391 with five homers and 20 RBI. Senior third baseman Michelle Smith is also off to a stellar start hitting .375 with four homeruns and 15 RBI of her own.

In the circle, junior Missy Penna has been in control for the Cardinal, posting an 11-1 record and a miniscule 1.01 ERA.

The Cardinal will look to continue its early season success this weekend with Pac-10 play only a month away.

Stanford opens the Worth Classic Friday afternoon against St. John’s at 3.45 p.m. The Red Storm is off to a rough start in 2008, as they come into the game at 1-8. They are led offensively by catcher Brandy Reyes who is hitting .391.

Later that evening the Cardinal will square off against another Big East opponent in the Louisville Cardinals.

The defending Big East Tournament champion Cardinals are off to a 5-5 start this season, and they are led by All-Big East pitchers Kristen Wadwell and Kassie Stanfill. Their leading hitter is sophomore Melissa Roth, who boasts a dominating .419 average.

On Saturday, the Cardinal begins the day at 1:30 p.m. against Texas Tech. After a mediocre season last year, the Red Raiders have struggled mightily to start the year, as they are still searching for their first victory at 0-12. If Tech is to have any shot at pulling the upset, it will need a big game out of sophomore infielder Leah Legler who is hitting .415 on the year.

On Saturday night, Stanford will take on a red-hot Purdue squad. The Boilermakers are 9-2 on the season, including an upset of No. 7 Baylor. Purdue pounds the ball offensively but has had difficulties getting outs defensively. The Boilermakers’ leading pitcher, junior Dana Alcocer, has struggled thus far, posting a 5.11 ERA.

Their game against the Cardinal, then, could be a high scoring affair as the Boilermakers are led by returning All-American third baseman Ashley Hall. Hall is hitting .390 on the season with four triples. Junior shortstop is hitting a gaudy .517 with two homeruns and 13 RBIs as well.

Stanford’s biggest test of the tournament by far, however, will be its matchup with No. 5 Florida on Sunday.

The Gators began the season with 19 consecutive wins before falling to Long Beach State on Wednesday. They have two returning All-Americans in junior pitcher Stacey Nelson and junior utility-woman Kim Waleazonia. Eight Gators currently sport averages above .300. In the circle Nelson is 11-1 on the year with a 0.82 ERA and 102 strikeouts.

The stakes are high, then — should Stanford succeed this weekend, the squad will establish itself as a national power and a threat to win the Pac-10. Following the tournament, Stanford will host Boston College on Tuesday before hosting a tourney of its own, the Stanford Classic, starting Thursday.