Five freshmen started Sunday’s game for the Cyclones, and that means good things to come for ISU head softball coach Ruth Crowe.

“I think they [Alyssa Ransom and Ashley Killeen] are doing a great job,” Crowe said. “We had five freshmen out on the field that game. For us having five freshman starters, I think it speaks very highly that we hung as well as we did against a team that has been in the rankings. This is probably the most talented team that we had, and they’re going to get better.”

Julia Lindsey, one of three ISU seniors on the team, said the pitching battery of Ransom and Killeen is working well.

“It’s looking really good for them,” Lindsay said. “They have a lot of time to develop. It’s their freshman year, they’re starting off real strong, and it’s going to build from there.”

Killeen said she and Ransom are glad to have the experience of playing together, especially early in the Big 12 season.

“We’re just learning day by day,” Killeen said. “We’re trying to grow up fast, get the job done and get some wins for the team.”

Killeen said Ransom got out of a second-inning jam in Sunday’s game by showing some of the characteristics of a seasoned pitcher.

“She’s very mature,” Killeen said. “She’s got a lot of experience already. She’s playing her game and did a great job on Sunday.”

Ransom said she was looking for any out in the second-inning jam.

“I was looking to get that last out,” Ransom said. “Make them pop up, ground out, don’t give up any big hits or anything. Just throw the ball.”

Ransom said she and Killeen have connected as a pitching battery.

“It’s always great [for] a pitcher to have a good catcher,” Ransom said.

“She’s awesome. She’s been doing her thing all year. You can’t ask for anything more.”

Besides Ransom and Killeen, Fallon Johnson (center field), Jessica Quade (first base) and Jennifer Bigbee (second base) also have played big roles for the Cyclones.