Cyclones Fall To No. 6 Texas, 8-4

STATS

AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State softball team lost their Big 12 home opener, 8-4, on Friday against the No. 6 Texas Longhorns despite a two-run home run by Iowa State junior slugger Erica Miller. Starting pitcher Tori Torrescano (6-10) put in 5.1 innings of work for the Cyclones (9-16, 0-1 Big 12), and gave up six runs on eight hits before reliever Lauren Kennewell was brought in to finish the game.

Torrescano got off to strong start and was able to keep Texas scoreless through the first four innings. Torrescano and her defense worked their way out of a tough situation in the top of the third inning as Texas (24-2, 3-0 Big 12) loaded the bases after two Longhorn batters were walked and one was hit by a pitch. Cyclone freshman shortstop Lexi Slater made a key playing in the inning, as she gathered a ground ball and threw Longhorn baserunner Nadia Taylor out at home to keep the score at 0-0.

Neither team was able to get on the board through three and a half innings, until Cyclone Miller put the Cyclones in the scoring column with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Miller's shot to center field also brought sophomore Amber Ewert across home plate, giving the Cyclones a 2-0 lead.

The Longhorns answered quickly in the top of the fifth with a two-run home run of their own by Taylor, tying the score at 2-2. Texas later added to its lead in the top of the sixth inning with a Karina Scott solo home run, followed by a Lexi Bennett RBI double to score teammate Taylor Hoagland. The Longhorns added four more runs before the end of the inning, including a two RBI single by Taylor to extend the lead to 8-2.

The Cyclones fought back in the bottom of the seventh inning with a two-RBI double by sophomore Anna Cole, scoring pinch runner Erin Johnson (Torrescano) and Jorden Smith, to make the score 8-4. Friday's game was the first time that the Cyclones lost when being the first team on the score board. Texas pitcher Blaire Luna (10-1) put in seven innings of work in the game, giving up four runs on five hits.

The Cyclones will be back in action against the Longhorns on Saturday at 2 p.m. CST at the Southwest Athletic Complex in Ames.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Anna Cole

Anna Cole

Amber Ewert

Erin Johnson

Erin Johnson

Lauren Kennewell

Lauren Kennewell

Erica Miller

Erica Miller

Lexi Slater

Tori Torrescano

Tori Torrescano

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics