Iowa State Softball Falls to Western Illinois

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois softball team defeated Iowa State, 6-3, Tuesday in Macomb, Ill. The Cyclones which fell to 9-14 on the season, are led by sophomore Adi Blackmon, who was 3-of-4 at the plate with one RBI.

The Westerwinds took an early 2-0 lead after the second inning. Shannon Gobel led off the inning with a single. Alicia Kelly singled and advanced pinch runner Melissa Counley to second. Counley scored on a Tammy Howard single to give WIU a 1-0 lead. Dani Hofman capped off the inning with a single to score Kelly to make it, 2-0.

WIU added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning when Jen Tyrell singled and advanced to second when Cyclone hurler Jen Bice walked Gobel. Tyrell scored on a RBI single by Katie Pickens. Gobel scored on a wild pitch to give the Westerwinds a 4-0 lead.

Western Illinois expanded the lead by scoring two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 6-0 lead before ISU got on the scoreboard.

The Cyclones answered back in the top of the seventh inning, scoring three runs on three hits. Julia Lindsay led off the inning with a single to center field. Morgan LeCluyse reached on a fielder's choice as Lindsay was out on the play. LeCluyse advanced to second as Lauren Cathey was hit by the pitch. Pinch hitter Kristin Shipley then doubled to right field to drive home LeCluyse and Cathey to make it, 6-2. A RBI single by Blackmon scored Shipley making it a 6-3 ballgame. ISU's rally came up short as McNertney flied out to right field to end the game.

Bice (4-6) recorded the loss for the Cyclones, allowing six runs on eight hits while fanning three. Iowa State reliever Kristin Ferguson pitched two innings, giving up two hits and striking out one. Shipley had one hit and two RBI, while Lindsay had two hits. Erica Martinez and Amberly Lessenger each contributed with a hit.

The Cyclones return to action on Saturday, March 31 when they take on defending NCAA Champion Oklahoma at 3 p.m. at the Southwest Athletic Complex.