Iowa State Drops Two to Big 12 Foe Texas in Saturday Double-Header

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State softball team dropped both ends of a double header vs. No. 16 Texas Saturday afternoon at the Southwest Athletic Complex. Texas claimed game one 5-1 and secured the sweep with a 1-0 victory in game two. Erica Martinez took both losses for ISU as she saw her squad fall to 16-19 this season and to 5-8 in Big 12 action. Texas' starter Cat Osterman finished the afternoon recording 30 strikeouts in two games, she got both the wins to improve her record to 27-7 and help the team improve to 41-10 overall and to 14-1 in the Big 12.

The conference matchup had been slated for a single game on Saturday followed by a single game on Sunday but due to possible poor weather conditions on Sunday the decision was made to play two on Saturday.

ISU got off to a rocky start in game one, committing three errors in the opening inning to allow three Longhorn runners to score. All three runs were unearned and put the Cyclones in a deficit they were never able to overcome.

Martinez remained in control and got the Cyclones out of the first inning and then held UT scoreless through the third inning. Martinez hurt herself in the fourth when she allowed Tamara Poppe to score on a wild pitch giving Texas a 4-0 advantage. Poppe opened the inning with a single through the right side of the defense to get on base. Texas then was able to extend its margin to five scoring a single run in the top of the fifth behind a ground out that allowed Linsdey Gardner to cross home plate.

Martinez would regain control of the game as she kept the Longhorns off the scoreboard for the remaining two innings. The junior finished the contest allowing five runs to score on eight hits, while striking out four. The Cyclone offense never really got going as Osterman limited ISU to just three hits while fanning 14. ISU's lone run came with one out way in the bottom of the seventh. Martinez got things going with a double to right center. Ashley Core came in to pinch run for Martinez and was able to come home when Kelly Wardein drilled a single to left field. But unfortunately for Cyclone fans, Osterman recorded her 14th strikeout of the game to end ISU's threat and to secure the win for Texas.

In the second contest it was once again the arm of Osterman that controlled the game, but ISU's's Martinez also pitched a gem as she held the Longhorn offense to just one run on four hits. Osterman got the win though as she held ISU scoreless on two hits, while sitting down 16 Cyclone batters.

Texas' lone run came in the top of the fourth, behind a costly error that allowed Erin Mahoney to score. Mahoney opened the inning with a infield single and then stole second and eventually got to third when Deeanna Williams hit a grounder to ISU's Julia Lindsey.

Iowa State will now have one day off before traveling to Stillwater, Okla. on Monday for a Big 12 showdown vs. Oklahoma State. The double header will begin at 12:30 p.m.