Texas Tech Rallies Past Iowa State, 6-4

AMES, Iowa -- Senior Erica Martinez hit her fifth home run of the season and senior Katie Ruby hit her first double of the year, but it wasn't enough as the Texas Tech Red Raiders scored three runs in the seventh inning to defeat Iowa State, 6-4 Sunday afternoon at the Southwest Athletic Complex. With the loss, Iowa State ends the regular season with a 19-27 record overall and a 6-12 mark in Big 12 play.

Senior Jen Bice took the mound for the Cyclones, striking out six batters. She takes the loss, her record falling to 0-5. Erin Crawford was on the mound for Texas Tech and picked up the win. With the victory, Texas Tech improves to 21-39 overall and 4-14 overall.

Barring any changes today, the loss gives ISU the No. 7 seed in next week's Big 12 tournament and a first round game with No. 10 seed Baylor, on Thursday, May 1.

Iowa State jumped on the scoreboard right away when junior Julia Lindsey scored when Martinez grounded out to second base, but notching the RBI in the process. The Cyclones added two more runs in the third inning when Martinez hit a home run to center field, scoring Ruby in the process. The score was 3-0 after five innings.

Texas Tech got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning when second basemen Shayne Gipson hit a double to right field and short stop Kristi Robles hit a double, scoring Gipson. Then, designated hitter Kelly Rhyne hit a home run, scoring Robles as well and suddenly the score was tied at 3-3.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, pinch runner Krysta Rees scored when Lindsey hit a single to left field. ISU ended the inning with one run and the score was 4-3.

But Texas Tech had another big inning in the top of the seventh adding three runs on three hits, including a three-run home run by Rhyne to give the Red Raiders a 6-4 lead. But ISU only managed one hit in the bottom of the seventh and Texas Tech won the game, 6-4.

Iowa State had eight hits and only one error, compared to Texas Tech's eight hits and two errors. The Cyclones got hits from Lindsey, Ruby (2), Martinez (2), Kim Rodgers (1), Cary Akins (1) and Adi Blackmon (1).

The Cyclones will head to Oklahoma City, Okla., to take part in the 2003 Big 12 Tournament on Thursday, May 1. Iowa State will likely play Baylor at 5 p.m., Thursday evening.

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