Cowgirls Squeak Past Cyclones, 2-1
Stillwater, Okla. — Julie Ward led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a home run over the left centerfield wall, and one out later, Megan Castle hit a solo homer off the left field foul pole and the Oklahoma State Cowgirls overcame a one-run deficit to defeat Iowa State 2-1 here Saturday afternoon at Cowgirl Stadium.
It was Ward’s eighth home run of the season and the 17th of her career. The Cowgirl first baseman also hit a double in the game, her nation-leading 19th of the season. Castle’s HR was her third of the season and the seventh of her career.
Cyclone starter Rachel Zabriskie was outstanding in the circle for Iowa State, scattering four hits while striking out three Cowgirls over the first six innings. had base runners in all but the first inning, including runners on first and third with no outs in the fifth when Ward hit a double to centerfield and catcher Tamara Brown hit a single up the middle. However, Zabriskie forced the next two batters to foul out and the third into a flyout.
Cowgirl starter Anna Whiddon threw 5-1/3 innings, scattering six hits while striking out three. However, it was a solo home run by Sydni Jones to lead off the fifth inning that put Iowa State on the scoreboard first. After giving up a line-drive single to Kelsey Kidwell to start the sixth, Whiddon was pulled for freshman Kat Espinosa. The Houston, Texas, native was the pitcher of record for , picking up the win and improving to 14-3 on the season.
Oklahoma State improved to 35-7 overall and 6-0 in Big 12 Conference action while Iowa State dropped to 22-18, 1-4 in league play. The two teams will square off again Sunday at noon at Cowgirl Stadium.
Updated 04-11-2010
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