The ISU softball team faced off against in-state rival Drake in Ames on Wednesday afternoon. The Cyclones (10-19, 0-3 Big 12) defeated the Bulldogs (13-15, 6-0 Missouri Valley) by a final score of 1-0.

The Lowdown

The Cyclones brought their four-game skid to an end on Wednesday, snapping the Bulldogs six-game win-streak in the process. The Cyclones threw sophomore Taylor Smith into the pitcher’s circle on Wednesday, who pitched a complete game shutout, recording two strikeouts and allowing only three hits. Drake’s ace pitcher Jordan Gronewold started for the Bulldogs, pitching three no-hit innings to start the game before being replaced by Rebekah Schmidt. Schmidt allowed one earned run, three hits and three walks in three innings of work. Only two hits were recorded throughout the first 3 1/2 innings, both by the Bulldogs. The Cyclones did not record a hit until Lexi Slater doubled to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning.

Turning point

Lexi Slater led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a double off of Schmidt. Slater was the first batter that Schmidt faced after replacing Gronewold in the circle. The next at-bat, Erica Miller recorded the eventual game-winning hit, driving in Slater in with a double of her own. Slater would prove key in the field, as well. After committing a fielding error on a fairly routine ground ball with one out in the top of the 6th, giving the Bulldogs runners at first and second base, Slater assisted on the second and third outs of the inning on the next two at-bats.

X-Factor

Taylor Smith pitched a complete game shutout for the Cyclones, allowing only three hits and one walk in seven innings. Smith also pitched a complete game against Santa Clara on March 17. Today’s performance improved Smith’s ERA this season to a team-best 3.75.

By the Numbers

.327: Drake third baseman Hayley Nybo’s batting average prior to Wednesday’s game. She failed to record a hit against Smith.

.727: Tori Torrescano’s slugging percentage this season, fifth-best in the Big 12.

2.35: Drake starter Jordan Gronewold’s ERA prior to Wednesday’s game

3: Number of hits Taylor Smith allowed though seven innings of work on Wednesday

3.75: Taylor Smith’s team-best ERA after Wednesday’s victory

7: Number of assists by Lexi Slater on Wednesday

9: Number of put-outs by ISU first baseman Erica Miller on Wednesday

70-17: Iowa State’s all-time record against Drake, including three wins last season

Postgame Chatter

“She did amazing. She went in every inning with no fear, threw it at whoever, no matter if they were a slapper or if they were a number four hitter. She just threw the ball and it worked. She fooled all of them.” – Lexi Slater of Taylor Smith

“One run’s enough for a win, but it’s not a lot of comfort. I wasn’t getting too tired, but still got to focus. By the seventh inning, you kind of start to lose your focus.” – Taylor Smith

“She threw great. I thought she did an excellent job keeping the ball down and just was really effective.” – ISU coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler

“Took a bad hop, played it like a fool, and I wanted another one, to get another one out. Fortunately I got two right after that, made the plays, got out of the inning. You’ve just got to look forward, not at what’s happened.” – Lexi Slater

“We had girls on base and our team was able to stop them. It’s a good defensive game.” – Taylor Smith

“Preparation was better. Today, timely hitting was nice, and that proved to be enough.” – Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler