STANFORD, CALIF. — Taryn Kern hit a lead-off home run to deep right field in the bottom of the first inning, and No. 22 Stanford defeated NC State 6-2 on Saturday to take the series.
The win pushed Stanford to 29-12 overall and 14-6 in ACC play, extending the Cardinal’s winning streak to seven games. The Cardinal had also beaten NC State 11-4 the previous day.
Kern Sets the Tone
Kern, an AUSL Golden Ticket holder who plays infield for Stanford, led off the game from the top of the batting order with a solo shot that gave the Cardinal an immediate 1-0 lead. Emily Jones followed with a single, stole second and scored on a River Mahler RBI single to push the lead to 2-0 after one inning.
Ava Gall added a solo home run later in the game, and Kyra Chan drove in two runs with a single to put Stanford ahead 6-0. NC State scored twice in the later innings against a combination of Anna Brewer and Zoe Prystajko, who came on in relief and earned the win.
“She oftentimes gets really hot late in the season. That’s kinda been her M.O. throughout her career…when she squares it up there’s a good chance of going out.”
— Jessica Allister, Stanford head coach, on Taryn Kern
Building Toward Postseason
At 29-12 overall and 14-6 in the ACC, Stanford is well-positioned heading into the final stretch of the regular season and the conference tournament. Seven consecutive wins on a schedule that includes top-25 opponents gives the Cardinal postseason momentum and Kern continued visibility for AUSL teams tracking the May 4 College Draft class.
Kern’s Golden Ticket was announced earlier this spring after a walk-off win over No. 9 Florida State.
Looking Ahead
The College Draft airs at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, May 4, on ESPN2. The six AUSL franchises—the Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, OKC Spark, Portland Cascade, Texas Volts and Utah Talons—will select Kern and the rest of the Golden Ticket class during the broadcast. Stanford plays more conference games in the weeks ahead before the ACC Tournament, giving AUSL evaluators additional looks at one of the draft’s most intriguing infielders. The AUSL season opens June 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Taryn Kern’s connection to the AUSL?
Kern received an AUSL Golden Ticket earlier this spring, guaranteeing her a spot in the May 4 College Draft. She will be selected by one of the six AUSL teams during the ESPN2 broadcast at 7 p.m. ET.
What did Taryn Kern do in the Stanford vs. NC State game?
Kern hit a lead-off solo home run to deep right field in the bottom of the first inning, giving Stanford a 1-0 lead that the Cardinal extended to a 6-2 final victory.
Where does Stanford stand in the ACC standings?
After the series win over NC State, Stanford stood at 29-12 overall and 14-6 in ACC play, on a seven-game winning streak heading into the final regular-season stretch.
About the AUSL
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is a professional softball league featuring six teams across major U.S. markets. Commissioner Kim Ng leads the league, which airs 50 games a year on ESPN and ABC. The 2026 season begins June 9.
About Aspen Eighty
Aspen Eighty is a female-founded, independent digital publication covering the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. We publish breaking news, scores, and player profiles for all six AUSL teams. Our mission is to amplify women’s professional softball and inspire the next generation of athletes.
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