Iowa State Offense Explodes In 11-3 Win Over Western Illinois

AMES, Iowa ? The Iowa State softball team rapt out a season-high 14 hits en route to an 11-3 home victory over Western Illinois on Thursday. The 11 runs are also a season best for the Cyclones. The win improves ISU's record 15-26 on the year and gives the Cyclones back-to-back victories following their win over Drake on Wednesday.

Iowa State trailed 1-0 after the Westerwinds scored in the top of the first, but ISU scored three runs in the bottom half of the inning. With one out, junior Cary Akins singled and then moved to second on a passed ball. Akins came home on a RBI double by sophomore Katie Reichling, who advanced to third on an error by the WIU catcher. Consecutive RBI doubles by sophomore Ashley Killeen and senior Misty Kimura scored two more runs for the Cyclones, giving Iowa State a 3-1 advantage.

After allowing another Western Illinois run in the second, ISU exploded for four runs in the third inning. A pair of singles to left by Akins and sophomore Jessica Quade gave the Cyclones runners at first and third. Reichling collected her second RBI of the contest with a RBI single. Iowa State took a 7-2 lead when Killeen garnered her second and third RBI of the day on a single. Senior Diana Reuter chased home Killeen from second with a single to center.

In the fourth, senior Kim Rodgers hit a solo home run, her first this season and the third of her career to extend the ISU lead to 8-2. WIU added another run in the fifth, but the Cyclones added to their lead with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth. Iowa State added two more runs in the sixth. Reichling knocked her third run of the afternoon on a ground out to first and Killeen posted her fourth RBI with a single to right.

Sophomore hurler Alyssa Ransom earned the win by giving up three runs on five hits and striking out four. Her record goes to 9-15 on the year.

Iowa State returns to Big 12 action this weekend with a two-game series at fourth-ranked Texas. Saturday's game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start, while Sunday's contest is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch. Sunday's game is set to be televised nationally on ESPN2, marking the first time in ISU softball history that the program will be featured on television.