AMES, Iowa – The Cyclone softball team (0-1, 0-0 Big 12) made a late comeback but couldn’t put away Valparaiso (2-1, 0-0 Horizon League) on Saturday, falling, 11-5 to the Crusaders.
Valparaiso took an early 7-0 lead aided by one wild pitch each for Cyclone starter Miranda Kemp (0-1) and Breeanna Holliday who entered the circle in the third inning and two Iowa State errors.
Crusader starting pitcher Sam McGee (1-1) held Iowa State scoreless through four innings before right fielder Anna Cole doubled to drive in pinch runner Erin Johnson from second in the fifth. Jorden Smith came around to score during the next at bat on pinch hitter Sara Rice’s strikeout, cutting the Valparaiso lead to 7-2.
Hot again in the sixth inning, the Cyclones plated three runs, including two off the bat of designated player Tori Torrescano who hit her first home run of the season, driving in pinch runner Taylor Smith. Torrescano’s dinger closed the gap to two as the Cyclones trailed 7-5.
Valparaiso broke open the game again in the bottom of the frame, scoring the first four batters and Iowa State was unable to push across any runners in the top of the seventh.
Brittany Duncan was the standout for the Crusaders on Saturday, driving in four runs on two hits including a home run.
On Sunday the Cyclones return to the field to face Green Bay and Western Illinois at the Bergstrom Indoor Training Facility. First pitch against Green Bay is set for 10 a.m. CST with the game against Western Illinois scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.
