Iowa State Splits in First Day of Missouri Tournament

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Iowa State softball team went one-for-one Friday at the Missouri Tournament. The Cyclones lost its first game to Loyola, 6-2 and then shut out Connecticut, 4-0 in the nightcap. Junior Erica Martinez hit her fourth home run of the season against Loyola.

In the first game of the Missouri Tournament Loyola got off to an early lead scoring one run in the top of the second inning. Loyola added two more runs in the top of the third inning and expanded the lead to six after they scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning.

ISU got on the board in the bottom of the sixth as Martinez hit her fourth home run of the season to make it a 6-2 ballgame.

Jen Bice (4-3) took the loss, giving up six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Adi Blackmon was 2-of-3 at the plate while Martinez went 1-of-2 with two RBI. Julia Lindsay also contributed a hit.

Iowa State pounded out ten hits enroute to a 6-0 shutout over Connecticut in the nightcap. The Cyclones took control of the game early on an RBI single by Amberly Lessenger to give ISU a 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning.

The Cyclones scored again in the top of the fifth inning on a Lindsey Herrin double. ISU expanded the lead in the top of the sixth scoring two runs on two hits to make it a 6-0 ball game.

Lindsey was 2-of-4 at the plate with two RBI, while Lessenger was 2-of-4 at the plate with one RBI and Herrin was 2-of-3 at the plate with one RBI. Laura Browning had two hits while Misty Kimura and Martinez each contributed a hit. Martinez (2-2) recorded the win allowing no runs on one hit while fanning nine.

Iowa State (6-6) continues play Saturday as they take on Loyola at 2 pm and Missouri at 4 pm in the Missouri tournament.