AMES — Iowa State softball had a quick turnaround from last weekend’s contest against No. 9 Texas, as it faced South Dakota State in a doubleheader Tuesday at the Cyclones Sports Complex.

The Cyclones split the series against the Jackrabbits. They lost the first game by a score of 4-3 but came back and won the second contest by a score of 8-1.

The Cyclones are now 13-23 on the season following Tuesday’s doubleheader.

In the first game, Iowa State got into some early trouble by giving up three runs in the top of the first inning after a rough start from freshman Jaiden Ralston. 

Senior Karlie Charles ended up coming into the game in the top of the first inning in relief of Ralston. Charles gave up the base hit to score those three runs. 

Charles then ended up holding it down for Iowa State as she finished the game going four and two-thirds innings pitched, while only giving up one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six batters.

The main troubles for Iowa State came from leaving runners on base in the first game. 

Iowa State ended up leaving eight runners on base in the loss to the Jackrabbits in game one.

Iowa State head coach Jamie Pinkerton had some thoughts on how the first game of the doubleheader went for his team.

“We just had to execute,” Pinkerton said. “In the locker room after game one we talked about how this sport is a game of failure and how we ended up failing the right way. We didn’t fail to make mistakes, we just failed to execute.”

Sophomore designated hitter Angelina Allen ended up hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning in the first game to keep the game close with the Jackrabbits. 

Allen was in a bit of a hitting slump as she was batting .180 prior to Tuesday’s matchups. She ended up bouncing back in a big way with a crucial home run.

The Cyclones bounced back quickly in the second game, as they jumped out to an early lead against South Dakota State that would eventually give them the win.

“It was nice to not be playing from behind,” Pinkerton said. “We made the basic plays and it gave us an opportunity to win.”

Freshman right fielder Tiana Poole had a magnificent day. She reached base four times on the day. Poole also made a spectacular play in the top of the third inning in the second game as she threw out a runner making their way to first base.

Poole continued to prove her worth for the Cyclones as she constantly made plays for the team.

“Today was a fresh start,” Poole said. “So knowing that helped out today; especially knowing that I have the arm to throw out the runner at first helped out as well.”

Junior Milaysia Ochoa had an incredible performance Tuesday as well, finishing the day with four extra-base hits, two of which ended up leaving the park. She continues to be a dominant player for the Cyclones.

“I was excited,” Ochoa said, “I’m gonna keep doing the same thing, you know, by just keeping things simple and to continue to hit the ball hard, and we’ll see what happens.

The Cyclones now look to their next series which will be in Stillwater, Oklahoma, as they get ready to face No. 3 Oklahoma State in a three-game series beginning Friday.