Cyclones Fall To South Alabama, 3-2

ATHENS, Ga. - Rachel Zabriskie tied a career-high with 13 strikeouts, but Iowa State couldn't solve South Alabama pitcher Beth Pilgrim as the Cyclones fell to the Jaguars, 3-2, Friday morning in the first game of the Georgia Softball Classic. With the loss, ISU falls to 6-6 this season.

Pilgrim finished with 11 strikeouts, while giving up just one hit in the game.

The Cyclones struggled early, spotting the Jaguars a 3-0 lead, which was highlighted by a two-run homer from Haley Hopkins in the third inning. The homer was Hopkins' fifth of the season.

ISU couldn't figure out Pilgrim, who held the Cyclones hitless until the sixth inning.

ISU finally broke through in the sixth inning.

Bianca Lopez pinch hit for Carrie Monroe and was plunked by a pitch. With one out, Heidi Kidwell ran her hitting streak to 11 games with a single to right left field. After Pilgrim got Carleigh Berry to ground out, Courtney Wray reached on a throwing error by USA shortstop Carolina Mendoza that allowed Monroe, who re-entered for Lopez, and Kidwell to score, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Rachel Zabriskie did her job in the bottom of the sixth, sending the Jaguars down in order to keep it a one-run ballgame.

But Pilgrim (2-2) was able to replicate what Zabriskie did, getting Erica Miller to fly out and striking out Amanda Bradberry and Dalyn Varela to pick up her second win of the season.

Zabriskie (6-4) fell short in her bid for her 40th career win. The junior moved up a spot to third all-time at ISU with 442 career strikeouts, passing Suzanne Wedemeier (1980-82).

The Cyclones will be back in action this afternoon when they face No. 8 Georgia at 2:30 (CT).

South Alabama 3, Iowa State 2 (2-26-2010 at Athens, Ga.)
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Iowa State.......... 000 002 0 - 2 1 2 (6-6)
South Alabama....... 102 000 X - 3 4 1 (5-5)
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Pitchers: Iowa State - Zabriskie, Rachel and Johnson, Alex. South Alabama - Pilgrim,Beth and
Honore,Danielle.
Win-Pilgrim,Beth(2-2) Loss-Zabriskie, Rachel(6-4) T-1:44 A-101
HR USA - Hopkins,Haley (5).

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Players Mentioned

Amanda Bradberry

Amanda Bradberry

Heidi Kidwell

Heidi Kidwell

Erica Miller

Carrie Monroe

Carrie Monroe

Dalyn Varela

Dalyn Varela

Courtney Wray

Courtney Wray

Rachel Zabriskie

Rachel Zabriskie

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