Erica Martinez Homers as Cyclones Fall to No. 23 Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Iowa State's Erica Martinez hit her fifth home run of the season as No. 23 Texas defeated ISU, 11-2 Saturday in College Station, Texas. The Cyclones are 11-18 overall and 1-4 in the Big 12 Conference.

Texas A&M took an early 5-0 lead in the third inning. Lisa Klam singled to right field and then stole second. Hollee Hayden singled and advanced to second on a Kelly Ferguson single. Tiffany Easters reached on a fielder's choice as Klam was thrown out at the plate. Lindsay Wilhelmson singled to score Ferguson and Hayden to give A&M a 2-0 lead. Crystal Martin reached on an error by Cyclone shortstop Rainey Eanes as Easters scored to put the Aggies up by three. Selena Collins doubled to right center scoring Martin and Wilhelmson making it 5-0.

The Cyclones got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Senior Kimi Yoshizawa singled to left field. Martinez homered to left center to make it 5-2.

Texas A&M added one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning as Klam homered to give the Aggies a 6-2 lead.

A&M expanded the lead scoring five more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Martin singled to lead off the inning. Selena Collins singled and advanced to second on the throw as Martin advanced to third. A sacrifice fly by Jennifer Davis scored Martin to give A&M a 7-2 lead. Angie Shetler singled, scoring pinch runner Lauren Ripple. A single by Hayden scored Shetler to make it a 9-2 ballgame. Ferguson's two run homer made it 11-2.

Cyclone hurler Jen Bice (6-9) recorded the loss, allowing 11 runs on 13 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Martinez was 1-of-2 at the plate with two RBI. Lauren Cathey, Amberly Lessenger, Yoshizawa and Eanes each contributed a hit.

Iowa State returns to action on Sunday, April 8 when they take on Texas A&M at 1 p.m.