Cyclone Softball Downs Connecticut in Last Day of Missouri Tournament

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Iowa State softball team defeated Connecticut, 9-2 and fell to Missouri, 5-3 in the final day of the Missouri Tournament. Fort Madison, Ia., native Erica Martinez hit her sixth home run of the year ranking her first on Iowa State's career homerun list.

ISU pounded out ten hits enroute to a 9-2 victory over Connecticut. The Cyclones took an early 6-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. With bases loaded Huskie pitcher Barbara Cook walked Martinez to score Ames, Ia., native Molly McNertney to give Iowa State a 1-0 lead. A RBI single by Lindsey Herrin scored Julia Lindsey to expand the lead. A Misty Kimura triple put the Cyclones up 5-0. Senior Kristin Shipley doubled to center field to score Kimura making it 6-0.

Connecticut answered back scoring two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Jessica Bigos' single scored Ashleigh Campen and pinch runner Patty Lowe to cut the lead 6-2.

ISU added to its lead scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. A Shipley single scored Martinez and Herrin to make it 8-2. A RBI double by Katie Ruby scored Shipley to give Iowa State a 9-2 edge.

Cyclone hurler Jen Bice (5-4) recorded the win giving up two runs on four hits, fanning four in four innings. Shipley was 3-of-3 at the plate with three RBI. Kimura was 1-of-2 with one RBI, while Ruby was 1-of-3 with one RBI. Adi Blackmon and Herrin each had two hits apiece while Lindsey and Ashley Core each contributed a hit.

Iowa State fell to Missouri in the night cap, 5-3. The Tigers took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. A Mary McGrane RBI double scored Rachael McGinnis. McGrane scored on a Lindsay Jacoby single to give Missouri a 2-0 lead.

ISU answered back scoring two runs to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning. Kimura tripled to right center to score pinch runner Kim Rodgers. Ruby doubled to left center to score Kimura to make it 2-2.

Missouri regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. McGinnis scored on a fielder's choice. Melanie Fisher scored on a passed ball to make it 4-2. Jacoby reached on a fielder's choice scoring pinch runner Ashlee Hays giving the Tigers a 5-2 edge.

The Cyclones battled back in the top of the sixth inning but fell short. Martinez homered to left field to cut the lead to two.

Martinez (3-3) recorded the loss for ISU, allowing five runs on three hits in 3 1/3 innings. Martinez and Ruby were 1-of-2 at the plate with one RBI respectively while Misty Kimura was 1-of-3 with one RBI. Herrin also contributed a hit for the Cyclones.

Iowa State (8-8) returns to action on March 20 against intra state rival Drake at 3 pm at the Southwest Athletic Complex.