ISU Softball Opens 2002 Season with Win vs. Santa Clara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The Iowa State softball team opened the 2002 season with a 5-2 win vs. Santa Clara Friday afternoon at Elings Park. The Cyclones fell to Cal Poly, 2-5 in the night game of the Santa Barbara Invitational. The loss evened Iowa State's record at 1-1. Julia Lindsey paved the way for ISU in the first two games of the three day tournament collecting four hits on eight at bats.

In game one, the Cyclones fell behind early as Santa Clara jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first. The game would then go scoreless over the next four innings and ISU entered the top of the sixth down, 0-1.

Iowa State would have a huge sixth inning, as Katie Ruby who came in to pinch hit for Jessica Gonzales got on base with a double to right center. Rainey Eanes earned a walk to put two Cyclones on the base path and then a passed ball allowed both runners to advance one base. Misty Kimura loaded the bases as she was walked to take first. Lindsey made SC pay as she doubled to left field, driving in two runs. The Cyclones wouldn't stop there as Adi Blackmon singled to left field driving in Heather McLatchie, who was pinch running for Kimura, to give ISU a 3-1 advantage. Blackmon stole second to get into scoring position and Amberly Lessenger came through, notching Iowa State's second double of the game to score Lindsey and Blackmon. Santa Clara finally got out of the inning when Kelly Wardein singled and Lessenger attempted to score from second but was out at home to end the scoring spree.

ISU starting pitcher, Jen Bice then secured the game, shutting out Santa Clara in the final two innings. She finished the day allowing just one run to score on six hits. She tallied four strikeouts in the contest.

Game two opened with both pitchers holding shutouts through the opening two innings. Cal Poly broke the tie, scoring three runs in the top of the third and then built its advantage to five, adding two more runs in the sixth. ISU cut Cal Poly's lead to three, countering the Mustangs two runs in the sixth with two of their own.

The Cyclones would be unable to bring the game any closer as they were held scoreless in the seventh. Lindsey, Erica Martinez, Wardein and Herrin all registered a hit, with Martinez notching the lone RBI.

Martinez also handled the pitching duties, allowing five runs to score on seven hits. The junior struck out seven batters and issued just two walks

The Cyclones continue tournament play on Saturday vs. Sacramento State and the host school UCSB. ISU's first game is slated for a 1:30 p.m. started while the first pitch of game two will come at 4 p.m.