ISU Softball Defeats Utah in Saturday Softball Action

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The Iowa State softball team defeated Utah, 2-0, Saturday afternoon in the team's third game of the Santa Barbara Softball By the Beach Tournament. The win improved ISU's record to 5-8. It was ISU's second win against Utah, having defeated the Utes in the Arizona State Fiesta Bowl Tournament on Feb. 7. Sophomore Lindsey Herrin was the winning pitcher for ISU and senior Erica Martinez recorded the save, having pitched the last two innings of the game. It was ISU's first shutout of the season.

The Cyclones scored their first run in the second inning. Sophomore Kim Rodgers hit a single to center field and quickly reached second base on a steal. Senior catcher Katie Ruby struck out and Rodgers stole third base and eventually scored to make the score 1-0. Rodgers also scored the team's second run in the fourth inning to make the score 2-0 and giving ISU the win. Rodgers was two-for-two at the plate, Ruby was one-for three and Martinez was one-for-four. Herrin recorded three strikeouts and improved her pitching record to 1-0 and Martinez added two and the save.

Iowa State will continue play at the 2003 Santa Barbara Softball By the Beach Tournament by playing Cal Poly on Saturday evening and host Santa Barbara on Sunday morning.