Softball team prepares for Drake after 8-0 loss
After a change in pitching in the fourth inning, freshman Madison Jones takes over for Tori Torrescano on Tuesday, March 27, at the Southwest Athletic Complex. While Jones was pitching, the Cyclones didn’t allow any home runs.
March 27, 2012
The ISU softball team will play Drake and try to rebound from its defeat at the hands of Northern Iowa.
The Cyclones (9-19, 0-3 Big 12) will try and get their season back on track after their 8-0 loss to the Panthers on Tuesday.
“I thought that even though we weren’t hitting well, I don’t think we quit today,” said coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler. “Offensively, I just think their bench just had some really good support.”
Iowa State was dominated in the game and was only able to generate two hits against Northern Iowa’s Jaye Hutcheson (8-6), who pitched all five innings in the game.
“[We need to] be patient at the plate,” said infielder Dalyn Varela. “[We need to] work for us and not try and push, and try and have fun and not worry about what the score is.”
The defeat marks the fourth straight and the eighth time this season the Cyclones have been shut out.
Pitcher Tori Torrescano (6-12) struggled in the contest. The junior allowed 10 hits and all eight runs in her three innings of work.
Torrescano was replaced in the third inning in favor of Madison Jones, who pitched the remaining two innings, allowing two hits and no runs.
“I don’t think that the rut we are in is just today,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “I think that the rut has been ongoing. I think when we get down, when we get runs scored on us and we struggle coming back.”
The team will have a chance to redeem itself, however, when it plays Drake on Wednesday, a team it has generally dominated in the past, leading the all-time series 69-17.
“[Drake] is a very well-rounded team,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “I think they are scrappy, I think that they play with an edge, and I think if we don’t come in and take care of business, we’re not going to be successful.”
The Bulldogs are led by third baseman Hayley Nybo, who leads the team in batting average (.327), hits (25), home runs (5), RBIs (22) and slugging percentage (.605).
“I think it’s crucial for our pitchers to get ahead of the count,” Jones said. “They are scrappy, they’re fast and their girls are slappers.”
The Cyclones will get their chance to turn their season around on Wednesday against the Bulldogs. Action is set to begin at 4 p.m. in Ames.
