Zabriskie, Defense Stifle Bulldogs

STATS

DES MOINES - Pitcher Rachel Zabriskie and the Iowa State defense worked 10 innings on Tuesday for the Cyclones' (18-17, 1-5 Big 12) first extra-innings win of the season, defeating the Drake Bulldogs (24-14, 10-1 Missouri Valley) 2-1 in a game with no earned runs. The win keeps the Cyclones above .500 on the year and moves the Bulldogs to 8-2 at home.

Zabriskie (12-11) allowed six hits, no earned runs and walked four while striking out eight in the win. Drake starter Brynne Dordel lasted 5.1 innings giving up five hits, walking two and striking out six. Jordan Gronewold (1-2), who picked up the only Drake RBI, was the pitcher of record for the Bulldogs gave up three hits in 4.2 innings with one walk and one strikeout.

The Cyclones' winning run came in the top of the 10th on an error by Drake shortstop Lindsey Vande Wall that put designated player Katie Harms on first and scored leftfielder Tori Torrescano for the 2-1 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, it was the stellar defense of Zabriskie, third baseman Dalyn Varela and freshman Sara Davison that kept the Bulldogs from winning the game. With one out and runners at first and second, Zabriskie fielded a sharply hit ball up the middle and threw to Varela who applied the tag to secure the out. One batter later, Davison reached across her body to snag a line drive headed for left to end the threat and give the Cyclones the chance for the win.

The Cyclones had chances to score in both the second and fifth innings but couldn't push across a runner. Davison struck out looking with the bases loaded to end the threat in the second before Varela was stranded at second after a one out double to center when Erica Miller struck out and leftfielder Torrescano lined sharply out to third.

Jordan Gronewold put the Bulldogs on the board in the bottom of the third, scoring Sam West on a sacrifice fly after West singled, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Iowa State's Amandine Habben.

It was a scary bottom of the seventh as Zabriskie loaded the bases with two outs before Amy Pierce, who had worked to a full count, lined out to right fielder Anna Cole to send the game into extra innings.

The Cyclones' ninth looked promising as pinch hitter Cassie Knutson walked in front of an Erin Johnson single moved Kelsey Enslin, running for Knutson, over to second with no outs. Enslin was called out at third when Heidi Kidwell reached on a fielder's choice and Davison and Varela fouled and popped out, respectively, to end the inning.

On Thursday, Drake comes to the Southwest Athletic Complex for the final game of the season between the in-state rivals. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CDT.

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Players Mentioned

Anna Cole

Sara Davison

Amandine Habben

Amandine Habben

Katie Harms

Katie Harms

Erin Johnson

Heidi Kidwell

Heidi Kidwell

Cassie Knutson

Erica Miller

Erica Miller

Tori Torrescano

Tori Torrescano

Dalyn Varela

Dalyn Varela

Rachel Zabriskie

Rachel Zabriskie

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