Iowa State Sweeps Baylor in Weekend Action

AMES, Iowa -- Senior Katie Ruby hit two three-run home runs as the Iowa State softball team defeated Baylor, 7-6, Sunday afternoon at the Southwest Athletic Complex. The Cyclones earned a sweep of the Bears, as they also registered a 8-7 victory in extra innings on Saturday. It was their first season sweep of the season. With the win, Iowa State overall record improves to 16-22 and 4-7 in Big 12 play. Baylor falls to 28-21 overall and 2-10 in league action.

Ruby was the player of the weekend, notching three 3-run home runs and nine RBI. Junior Julia Lindsey also garnered two hits in Sunday's action. Senior Erica Martinez, pitching in her first game since March 30, came in for freshman Kristen Karanzias and struck out four Baylor batters. Her record improves to 9-7 on the season. Baylor's relief pitcher, Sarah Caudle gave up two three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the loss for the Bears.

Baylor started out right away in the first inning, scoring Caudle as Danielle Arnold reached first on an error by ISU's shortstop and sending Caudle home from third base. Iowa State ended the inning without a score and the Bears scored two more runs on three hits in the second inning. Kelly Osburn and Kourtny Westerfeld reached home for the Bears. The Cyclones also ended the second inning without a score.

The Bears scored another run in the top of the third off an Osburn double as she scored teammate Kelly Levesque. Iowa State finally got on the board in the bottom of the third inning as senior Adi Blackmon scored on a wild pitch from Baylor pitcher Katie Decker. The score was 3-1.

Neither team scored in the fourth inning and Baylor went scoreless in the top of the fifth inning. But Iowa State would come out with its bats swinging in the bottom of the inning. Lindsey hit a triple out to center field and Martinez reached base on a walk. Ruby came up and hit a three-run homerun to tie the game at 4-4 going into the sixth inning.

After a scoreless sixth inning for both teams, BU scored two quick runs in the top of the seventh as Kim Wilmoth and Caudle both scored. Iowa State freshman Cary Akins came up to start the bottom of the seventh inning and hit a single to left field. Sophomore Heather McLatchie came in to pinch run for Akins. Blackmon flied out and Lindsey grounded out, bringing up Ruby to bat. Baylor brought in Caudle to try and record the save. With the pitch count, 3-1, Ruby hit her second three-run homerun of the game and Iowa State won the game, 7-6. It was the Cyclones second come-from-behind win of the weekend.

"Katie Ruby was an all-star this weekend," head coach Ruth Crowe said. "She came up huge for us all weekend. Not only with her hitting but defensively as well. It was great for us to sweep someone, because we haven't done that all year. I just thought things went very well for us this weekend."

Iowa State will travel to Iowa City on Wednesday, April 16 to take on intrastate rival, Iowa. Game time is set for 4 p.m.