AUSTIN, Texas ? Despite a good defensive game against third-ranked Texas, the Iowa State softball team's bats were limited to four hits by All-American and Olympic pitcher Cat Osterman as the Longhorns defeated the Cyclones, 2-0, at McCombs Field on Saturday. ISU falls to 15-27 overall and 1-11 in Big 12 play.
Texas scored both of their runs in the third inning when an Iowa State miscue led to the Longhorns' winning margin. With one out, Monica Askew reached on an error by junior shortstop Cary Akins. Askew then moved to third on a double to left by Desiree Williams. A sacrifice fly by Megan Willis plated pinch runner Lacy Robinson in for Askew. Williams advanced to third before scoring on a single by Wynter Turner.
Iowa State had its best opportunity to score a run in the fourth inning when sophomore Katie Reichling walked. Sophomore Ashley Killeen laid down a sacrifice bunt to move pinch runner Ellen Buehner to second. Osterman got senior Misty Kimura to strikeout for the second out of the inning. Buehner went to third on a single back up the middle by senior Diana Reuter. However the ISU scoring threat ended when freshman Kristy Olsen struck out swinging.
Reichling took the loss after giving up two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Her record falls to 6-10 on the season.
Iowa State and Texas will close out the series on Sunday at McCombs Field starting at 3 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2. The national broadcast marks the first time in school history the softball program will be on national television.
