ISU Softball Defeats Cal State Northridge; Loses to San Diego State in Santa Barbara Tournament

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The Iowa State softball team defeated Cal State Northridge, 3-1, Friday afternoon in the team's second game of the Santa Barbara Softball By the Beach Tournament. The win improved ISU's record to 4-8 after it dropped an earlier Friday contest against San Diego State. Senior Erica Martinez was the winning pitcher for ISU and also had a double and two RBI against Cal State Northridge.

The Cyclones scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the third inning. Junior started things off by reaching first base on a walk. After Core, junior Julia Lindsey led off the hits with a single followed by Adi Blackmon with another single, placing Core on third, Lindsey on second and Blackmon on first base. Martinez then hit a double and Core and Lindsey both scored. Blackmon would score next and ISU won the game, 3-1. The Cyclones had five hits in the game. Lindsey had a hit, Blackmon was one-for-two, Martinez was two-for-three with a double and two RBI and freshman Cary Akins was one-for-three.

ISU lost to San Diego State, 5-1, in the days earlier game. Jen Bice was the game's pitcher. Sophomore Kim Rodgers was the games big player as she went two-for-three with one RBI. The Cyclones scored their lone run when sophomore Heather McLatchie, who was pinch running for Martinez scored off a single by Rodgers. Akins was two-for-three for the game, Kelly Wardein was two-for-three and Martinez was one-for-three.

Iowa State will continue play at the 2003 Santa Barbara Softball By the Beach Tournament on Saturday when it plays Utah at 11 a.m., and Cal Poly at 3:30 p.m.