AMES, Iowa ? The Iowa State softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Missouri, Wednesday afternoon at the Southwest Athletic Complex. Missouri claimed game one, 9-0, and secured the sweep with a 10-1 victory in game two. With the losses, Iowa State's record falls to 11-28 overall and 1-11 in Big 12 play.
Freshman Alyssa Ransom took the loss on the mound in game one, her record falling to 8-16. Freshman Katie Reichling got the loss in the second game, her record falling to 1-8. Missouri pitcher Erin Kalka earned the win in both games, her record improving to 19-14. Missouri improves to 23-22 overall and 10-3 in league play.
Missouri jumped on the scoreboard when it scored four runs right off the bat. Kathy Masterson hit a double to center field. Left fielder Morgan LeCluyse followed with a double of her own, scoring Masterson. After a single by designated hitter A.J. White, which advanced LeCluyse to third, short stop Heather Kunkel hit a home run to center field, scoring LeCluyse and White. When Iowa State got up to bat, sophomore Cary Akins reached base on an error by Missouri's first baseman and junior Misty Kimura reached after getting hit by a pitch, but they were left stranded after freshman Jessica Quade stuck out swinging. Missouri led 4-0 after one inning.
In the second inning, Missouri added four more runs. Right fielder Sarah Stringer led things off with a double to left center. After Masterson and Leanna Bowers reached base on a fielder's choice and a walk, respectively, Masterson scored off an error by Cyclone short stop Cary Akins. LeCluyse, White and Kunkel also scored to make the score 8-0 after one and a half innings. In the bottom of the inning, senior Kelly Wardein reached base after getting hit by the pitch, but ISU couldn't generate any hits and Mizzou led 8-0 after two innings. The Tigers added one more run in the fourth inning when White hit a home run to center field. The Cyclones had two hits in the bottom of the inning, but couldn't score and the Tigers led, 9-0. ISU had one more chance in the bottom of the fifth inning but the offense stalled and Missouri won game one, 9-0.
Iowa State had three hits and two errors compared to Missouri's 11 hits and one error. Akins (1), Wardein (1) and Kim Rodgers (1) each had hits for the Cyclones.
The pace of the game started off much slower in game two as there was no score after one inning. Missouri found the scoreboard in the second inning when White hit her second home run of the series to lead off the inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Tigers added three more runs in the fourth inning when pinch runner Ashley Hays scored on an error by catcher Ashley Killeen. Alli Kennewell and Samantha Fleeman also found home plate off a single by Fleeman and a double by Joanna Loethen, respectively. Missouri had a 4-0 lead after four innings. Iowa State scored its lone run in the bottom of the fifth inning when junior Kim Rodgers hit her first home run of the season. With two outs, senior Julia Lindsey struck out swinging but stayed alive after she advanced to first on an error by Missouri's catcher. The Tigers opened the game up in the top of the sixth inning when they scored six unanswered runs enroute to a 10-1 Missouri win.
Iowa State had three hits and a season-high five errors, compared to seven hits and two errors for Missouri. Lindsey (1), Akins (1), and Rodgers all had hits for ISU.
“I expected us to be better than we were,” head coach Ruth Crowe said. “We needed to be much more aggressive on defense than we were. We just kind of showed up today and didn't come out with any fire or enthusiasm. We just need to get much better. Although I thought Katie (Reichling) pitched a pretty good game for us.”
Iowa State will play host to Oklahoma on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 in its last home series of the season. Friday's game will begin at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday's game will start at 11 a.m. Seniors Ashley Core, Julia Lindsey and Kelly Wardein will be honored before Saturday's game.
