Iowa State Loses to No. 9 Florida State; Middle Tennessee State in Saturday Softball Action

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Iowa State softball team dropped games to both No. 9 Florida State and Middle Tennessee State in the final day of the Sunshine State Tournament. The tournament was hosted by Florida State. In the first game of the day, Iowa State lost to Florida State, 6-2, and fell to Middle Tennessee State, 3-1, in Saturday's later game. With the losses, ISU's record falls to 3-7. The Seminoles defeated Middle Tennessee State earlier today to go 4-0 in the tournament.

Against Florida State, neither team scored in the first three innings. The Seminoles got on the scoreboard by scoring two runs in the fourth inning, while scoring another two runs in the sixth. Iowa State scored two runs late in the seventh inning. Sophomores Heather McLatchie and Kim Rodgers scored ISU's runs. The Cyclones had three hits and one error compared to FSU's nine hits and one error. ISU received hits from senior Katie Ruby, sophomore Lindsey Herrin and senior Adi Blackmon. Seniors Erica Martinez and Jen Bice split time at the mound, striking out four batters. Florida State's Casey Hunter was the game's winning pitcher and had eight strike outs.

Against Middle Tennessee State, both teams started off hot right away, as the score was 2-1 Middle Tennessee State at the end of the first inning. The Lady Raiders scored the last run in the game in the second inning to go on to win the game, 3-1. Ruby scored ISU's lone run. Junior Kelly Wardein had two hits and one walk in the game, while Ruby and Herrin each had one run. Herrin also had one RBI for the game.

MSU led the way in the hits category with five compared to ISU's four. Martinez pitched the entire game for ISU and had four strikeouts.

Iowa State will travel to Santa Barbara, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 21, to take part in the Tournament By the Beach, where they will take on San Diego State at 11 a.m., and Cal State Northridge at 1:30 p.m.