Cyclones Beat Drake, 5-2, In Season Opener

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. ? Iowa State used a three-run double by Courtney Wray en route to a four-run third inning and a 5-2 win over Drake in the season opener for both teams Friday at the Metrodome Softball Classic. The Cyclones (1-0) have now won their last three season openers.

ISU lit up the scoreboard first in the third, which was started by Amanda Bradberry, who reached on a throwing error and advanced to second to lead off the inning. After Carrie Monroe dropped down a successful sacrifice bunt to move Bradberry to third, ISU took advantage of another error. Carleigh Berry hit one back to pitcher Jenna DeLong, who made an errant throw allowing Bradberry to score the first run of the game.

Kelsey Kidwell then singled and Heidi Kidwell drew a walk to load the bases with one out. Wray then belted a double that cleared the bases and made it 4-0 in favor of the Cyclones.

Drake got on the board in the bottom of the third on a solo shot by Kelsey Kahler to trim the lead to 4-1.

The Bulldogs cut into the lead again in the fifth on back-to-back hits by Carrie Hatfield and Kahler. Hatfield opened the inning with a triple off ISU hurler Rachel Zabriskie and Kahler singled her home to cut the deficit to 4-2.

In the seventh, Sydni Jones connected on the Cyclones' first home run of the season, giving the Cyclones an insurance run to extend the lead to 5-2. It was Jones' 16th career home run.

Zabriskie (1-0) allowed a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh before retiring the next three batters to pick up her first win of the season and the 34th of her career. The junior struck out eight in the game and allowed six hits.

Jones led the Cyclones going 2-for-3 with double and a homer. Wray, Kelsey Kidwell and Erica Miller had a hit each for the Cyclones.

DeLong (0-1) took the loss for the Bulldogs, allowing five hits and striking out six in the contest.

The Cyclones continue action at approximately 3:15 p.m. against Minnesota. Live video is available to Clone Zone subscribers at Cyclones.com.

Iowa State 5, Drake 2 (2-12-2010 at Minneapolis, Minn.)
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Iowa State.......... 004 000 1 - 5 5 0 (1-0)
Drake............... 001 010 0 - 2 6 2 (0-1)
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Pitchers: Iowa State - Zabriskie, Rachel and Johnson, Alex. Drake - DeLong, Jenna and
Mollohan, Erin.
Win-Zabriskie, Rachel(1-0) Loss-DeLong, Jenna(0-1) T-1:50 hrs A-0
HR IS - Jones, Sydni (1).
HR DU - Kahler, Kelsey (1).

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Players Mentioned

Amanda Bradberry

Amanda Bradberry

Sydni Jones

Sydni Jones

Heidi Kidwell

Heidi Kidwell

Kelsey Kidwell

Kelsey Kidwell

Erica Miller

Carrie Monroe

Carrie Monroe

Courtney Wray

Courtney Wray

Rachel Zabriskie

Rachel Zabriskie

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