Iowa State Softball Dominant in 10-1 Win Over Providence

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The Iowa State softball team wrapped up play in the Santa Barbara Invitational with a 10-1 win over Providence Sunday afternoon at Elings Park. The win improve the Cyclones overall record to 3-2. Five Cyclone's notched two or more hits in the win, led by a 3-of-3 outing by ISU leftfielder Kelly Wardein.

The Cyclones got off to a quick start scoring two runs in the top of the first. Both runs came, when Amberly Lessenger singled up the middle to score Adi Blackmon and Julia Lindsey, who had both been walked to open the inning.

Providence cut ISU's lead in half behind back-to-back singles in the bottom of the first. Iowa State starting pitcher Jen Bice settled in after allowing the one run to score and got out of the inning when she forced UP's Ashlee Weatherford to fly out to center field. Bice would hold the Aggies scoreless for the remainder of the game, and allowed just four more hits over the remaining six innings. She got the win after pitching her third complete game of the tournament. She gave up just one run on six hits, while fanning two batters to improve her recorded to 2-1.

Offensively, the Cyclones continued to build upon its lead, adding two more runs in the top of the third and fifth innings. ISU then put the game well out of reach with a four-run seventh. Lindsey Herrin got things rolling in the final inning, as she led off with her second home run of the year. She also ended the inning when she popped up to the Providence shortstop for the third out. In all five players notched singles in the scoring spree and four runs were scored on six hits. Bice sealed the win as she forced a pop up and a ground out and then Blackmon threw out the Aggies' Kalena Peterson at first on an attempted bunt.

The Cyclones continue tournament play next weekend, traveling to Cape Giradeau, Mo., to participate in the Southeast Missouri tournament. The Cyclones first contest of the three-day tournament will be vs. Creighton, Friday at 3 p.m.