Iowa State Softball Falls to Texas

AUSTIN, Texas - The Iowa State softball team fell to Texas, 5-3 and 3-2, Saturday at McCombs Field.

The Longhorns took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Tamara Poppe led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sarah Wieszczak. A double by Melissa Malchi scored Poppe giving Texas a 1-0 lead.

Texas added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Kathleen Richter led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a Deeanna Williams double to right center. Wieszczak singled to centerfield scoring Richter and pinch runner Patricia Vega to give UT a 3-0 lead.

Texas added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Malchi singled to right center to lead off the inning. A sacrifice bunt by Trisha Tatro advanced pinch runner Jackie McCellan to second. Richter singled to right field scoring McCellan to give the Longhorns a 4-0 lead.

Iowa State got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Adi Blackmon singled and advanced to second on a Amberly Lessenger ground out. Kimi Yoshizawa reached on an error scoring Blackmon to make it, 4-1.

The Cyclones added another run in the top of the sixth inning. Rainey Eanes singled to right center and advanced to second on a Morgan LeCluyse ground out. Eanes advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt and scored on a throwing error by Longhorn catcher Marlo Hanks.

Texas expanded the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Tiffiny Valdehuerza singled and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Richter. Williams sacrifice fly scored Valdehuerza to give the Longhorns a 5-2 lead.

ISU added another run in the top of the seventh. Lessenger singled and advanced to second on a Yoshizawa ground out. Erica Martinez singled to right field scoring Lessenger to make it a 5-3 ballgame.

Cyclone hurler Jen Bice (6-11) recorded the loss for the Cyclones, allowing five runs on nine hits, while striking out three batters. Martinez was 2-of-4 at the plate with one RBI, while Lindsay was 2-of-3. Blackmon, Lessenger, Eanes, LeClusye and Laura Browning each contributed a hit.

Texas took the night cap, 3-2. Iowa State took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Blackmon singled to left field and advanced to second on a passed ball. Texas hurler Natalie King walked Lessenger to put runners on first and second. Blackmon advanced to third on a fielder's choice. Blackmon stole home to give ISU a 1-0 lead and Blackmon her 13th stolen bases of the season.

Texas tied the game in the bottom of the third inning. Autumn Eastes singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Malchi. Cyclone hurler Erica Martinez walked Tatro and Valdehueza to load the bases. Richter was hit by the pitch to score Eastes to make it, 1-1.

Texas took the lead back in the bottom of the fourth inning. Poppe walked and advanced to second on a Wieszczak sacrifice bunt. Poppe scored on an error to give UT a 2-1 lead.

The Cyclones tied the game again scoring one run in the top of the fifth. Eanes singled to right field and advanced to second as Blackmon reached on an error. A double by Martinez scored Eanes to tie the game, 2-2.

The Longhorns took the lead in the top of the fifth. Valdehueza walked to lead off the inning. A RBI single by Williams scored Valdehueza to give Texas a 3-2 lead.

Martinez (2-9) took the loss for the Cyclones, giving up three runs on one hit in four innings. Reliever Kristin Ferguson gave up two hits in two innings. Martinez had two hits and one RBI, while Eanes, Blackmon, Lindsay and Yoshizawa each contributed a hit.

The Cyclones return to action on Monday when they play host to Oklahoma State in a doubleheader starting at Noon.