TAMPA, Fla. – The Iowa State softball team (11-13) dropped the finale of the USF Tournament in a 5-3 loss to the USF Bulls (15-9) on Sunday at USF Softball Stadium.
USF 5, Iowa State 3
Both teams were threatening to score in the first, as Iowa State got runners to first and second in the top half of the inning and USF got their lead-off hitter to third, but both teams were unable to crack the scoreboard.
In the home half of the second inning, the Bulls were threatening once again, and would ultimately take the lead on a bases-loaded walk, giving them the 1-0 advantage.
The Cyclone offense had a prime opportunity to score in the third, as senior Sami Williams cranked one off the top of the wall in left-center giving her a triple with two away in the inning, but she was held there, and USF maintained its 1-0 lead.
The Bulls padded their lead in the bottom of the third as pitcher Georgina Corrick hit a three-run blast to right, giving them a 4-0 lead.
Iowa State would get on the board in the top of the sixth as senior Logan Schaben would get the inning started with a double to the gap in right-center field. Alesia Ranches would follow that up with a walk and Mikayla Ramos would reach base on a USF error to load the bases. Morgan Wright would then plate two Cyclone runs as she ripped a single to left-center. That would be all the offense Iowa State could generate in the inning, bringing the score to 4-2 in favor of the Bulls.
Logan Schaben would also be busy on the defensive end for the Cyclones, as she would flash the leather on a line drive to third for the second out of the home half of the sixth. Iowa State would not be able to get the third out before USF added a run to their lead on a single to right-center, scoring the runner from second.
The Cyclones didnt go quietly in the top of the seventh as Carli Spelhaug and Williams would both reach base to start the inning. Sophomore Kasey Simpson would bring Williams in to score, but that would be all for the Cyclones, as USF earned the 5-3 victory.
On Deck
The Cyclones will head to Los Angeles next weekend to compete in the LMU Tournament. They will be in action starting on Friday at 2:15 p.m. C.T. against San Diego.
