Iowa State Softball Dumps Baylor, 6-3

OKLAHOMA CITY - Cyclone senior Cinnamon Gooding was 2-of-3 at the plate with two RBI to lead the Iowa State softball team past Baylor, 6-3 in the Big 12 softball tournament in Oklahoma City, Okla. Gooding had a double and a home run.

The Cyclones struck early scoring three runs in the top of the second. Gooding led off the inning with a double. A RBI single by Amberly Lessenger scored pinch runner Tiffany Cornine to give ISU a 1-0 lead. Iowa State added two more runs when Cathey hit a two-run home run over the left field fence to score Lessenger making it, 3-0.

The Bears battled back scoring one run in the bottom of the second. Kelly Flemming homered to left field to cut the lead to 3-1.

Iowa State added two more runs in the bottom of the third. Michelle Junod singled and scored on a Gooding home run to give the Cyclones a 5-1 edge.

Baylor scored one run in the bottom of the third. Summer Rhode walked and advanced to second on a Naomi Fitzgerald ground out. Rhode advanced to third on a Sarah Sharp single and scored on a wild pitch to make it, 5-2.

The Cyclones scored one more run in the top of the sixth as Frank singled. Junod reached on an error by Baylor catcher Ryan Stukel and advanced to second on the play. Robyn Riedler singled scoring Frank to make it a 6-2 ballgame.

The Bears added one more run in the bottom of the sixth. Stacey Hundley led off the inning with a single. Rhode reached on an error by ISU right fielder Laura Browning, as Hundley scored unearned to make it 6-3.

Amberly Lessenger was 2-of-3 with one RBI, Cathey was 1-of-3 with two RBI, while Riedler contributed a hit and a RBI. Lisa Frank, Junod and Browning each contributed a hit. Senior hurler Mandy Loushin recorded the win for the Cyclones, allowing three runs on six hits, while fanning three.

The 18-27 Cyclones continue play tomorrow when they take on Nebraska at 12:30 p.m.