Iowa State Powers Past Northern Iowa, 8-0

AMES, Iowa ? Freshman Ashley Killeen had two home runs, including a grand slam in the fourth inning and freshman pitcher Alyssa Ransom struck out five batters to defeat Northern Iowa, 8-0, Thursday afternoon at the Southwest Athletic Complex. With the win, ISU's record improves to 9-17 on the season, while Northern Iowa falls to 7-18. Ransom picked up her seventh win of the season on the mound.

Junior Misty Kimura also hit a home run for the Cyclones, her fourth of the season. Senior Julia Lindsey had two hits to record her 22^nd hit of the season and junior Heather McLatchie also had two hits in the Cyclone effort.

Iowa State got on the scoreboard right away in the first inning when Killeen hit a two-run homerun that also sent Lindsey across home plate and the Cyclones led, 2-0 after one inning. Neither team scored in the next two innings and ISU held on to a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. In that inning, with the Cyclones having two outs, freshman Jennifer Bigbee singled to right field, Lindsey singled to left field and McLatchie singled to the short stop to load the bases when Killeen hit a home run over the left center fence and everyone scored. Kimura also hit a two-run home run after the Panthers changed pitchers. The inning ended when sophomore Cary Akins grounded out to the second baseman. Northern Iowa tried to rally in the top of the fifth inning, but could get nothing going and Iowa State won the game, 8-0, in five innings.

“It was a good day all the way around for us,” head coach Ruth Crowe said. “We just keep getting better, which is very encouraging. I think teams see our stats and it's a little deceiving because we're better than that now. Ashley (Killeen) had a great game as did Alyssa Ransom on the mound. They are both freshmen and are just really coming into their own here. They did a great job.”

Iowa State had nine hits to the Panther's four hits. Neither team had an error. The Cyclones also had eight RBI, with Killeen contributing six of them. ISU had a good day with the bats. Killeen, McLatchie and Lindsey led the Cyclones, with each getting two hits. In addition, Kimura, Kelly Wardein and Bigbee each had one hit.

Iowa State will continue its home stand this weekend when Texas A&M comes to town for a weekend series with the Cyclones. ISU and Texas A&M will play on Saturday, April 3, starting at 1 p.m. and will conclude the series on Sunday, April 4, starting at noon.

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