Iowa State Softball Splits with No. 20 Oklahoma State

STILLWATER, Okla. - The Iowa State softball team split with No. 20 Oklahoma State in two eight inning games today in Stillwater, Okla. The Cyclones took the first game, 4-2 and dropped the second game, 2-3. Iowa State is 14-11 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12 Conference.

The Cyclones got on the board first, scoring one run in the top of the first. Senior Lisa Frank singled and advanced to second on a single by freshman Adi Blackmon. A Jessica Polo sacrifice bunt advanced Frank to third and Blackmon to second. Michelle Junod reached on a fielder's choice as Blackmon advanced to third, Frank was out at home on the play. Junod stole second and Blackmon stole home to make it, 1-0.

The Cowgirls answered scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Shelly Graham singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jenny Kipp. A RBI double by Paula Garman scored Graham to tie the game. Kristy Jennings doubled to score Garman making it, 2-1 after the first.

Iowa State scored again in the top of the fifth to tie the game. Frank reached on an error by Cowgirl second baseman Lezli Leathers. Frank advanced to second on a Blackmon sacrifice bunt. Junod doubled down the leftfield line to score Frank.

The Cyclones scored two more runs in the top of the eighth. Junod led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a Robyn Riedler single. Pinch hitter Kristin Shipley's sacrifice bunt advanced Riedler to second and Junod to third. Junod scored on a single by pinch hitter Cinnamon Gooding to make it, 3-2. A Lauren Cathey single scored Riedler making it a 4-2 ballgame.

Junod was 2-of-4 with one RBI, Gooding went 1-of-1 with one RBI, Cathey was 1-of-1 with one RBI. Frank, Blackmon, Polo, Riedler and Amber Lessinger each contributed a hit.

Freshman Jen Bice (8-2) recorded the victory for the Cyclones. Bice came in after the fourth to relieve starter Kristin Ferguson. Bice allowed no runs on two hits, while fanning two batters.

Junior Kimi Yoshizawa was 2-of-2 at the plate in the nightcap. Oklahoma State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first. Graham doubled to right center and advanced to third on a Kipp single. Graham stole home to make it, 1-0. Kipp scored on a Ryan Realmuto single making it, 2-0.

Iowa State was scoreless until the third when Cathey walked and advanced to second on a Yoshizawa single. Yoshizawa advanced to second and Cathey advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Frank. Cathey scored on a passed ball to make it, 2-1.

The Cyclones scored again in the top of the fifth. Frank singled, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Frank scored on a sacrifice fly by Polo to tie the game, 2-2.

Oklahoma State won the game in the bottom of the eighth on a Christina Shaddox home run. Frank, Blackmon, Junod and Riedler each contributed a hit. Kristin Ferugson took the loss for the Cyclones, allowing one run on four hits and striking out one. Bice started the game, allowing two runs on five hits.

Iowa State continues play when the travel to Norman, Okla. to take on No. 6 Oklahoma, Saturday, April, 1 and Sunday, April 2.