Iowa State Drops Two in First Round of the Seminole Invitational

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Iowa State softball team fell to 9-11 on the season as Syracuse and Florida State defeated ISU in the first round of the Seminole Invitational Friday.

Syracuse beat the Cyclones 2-1 in the first game of the Seminole Invitational. Iowa State took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Senior Kimi Yoshizawa doubled to left center to start off the inning. Rainey Eanes sacrifice bunt advanced pinch runner Ashley Core to third. Adi Blackmon singled to score Core giving ISU a 1-0 lead.

The Orangewoman took the lead scoring two runs on three hits in the top of the fifth inning. Tara DiMaggio singled to right center and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Shanna Newelll. Nickki Lincoln doubled to left field scoring DiMaggio to tie the game. Syracuse took the lead when Lincoln scored on a Christina Holowich single.

Jen Bice (4-5) recorded the loss for the Cyclones, allowing two runs on five hits while fanning 10. Blackmon had two hits and one RBI. Eanes, Yoshizawa, Erica Martinez and Kelly Wardein each contributed a hit.

Florida State downed Iowa State, 6-0 in the second game of the Seminole Invitational. FSU scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brandi Stuart singled to lead off the inning. Stuart advanced to second on a wild pitch by Cyclone hurler Kristin Ferguson. Ferguson then proceeded to walk Natalie Bennett to put runners on first and second. Staci Brandon singled to load the bases. Serita Brooks' grandslam gave the Seminolds a 5-0 lead.

FSU added one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ferguson walked Jordan to lead off the inning. Pinch runner Skyla Cox advanced to second on a Bennett sacrifice bunt. Brandon grounded out to second advancing Cox to third. Brooks reached first on a bunt. Cox stole home to give Florida State a 6-0 lead.

Martinez (2-5) took the loss for Iowa State giving up four runs on two hits in five innings. Bice pitched 2/3 innings while Ferguson pitched 1/3 innings.

Iowa State continues play tomorrow in the Seminole Invitational.