Iowa State softball lost its second matchup with No. 3 Oklahoma State Saturday by one run.

Iowa State jumped ahead 2-0 in the third inning, but Oklahoma State answered with three runs in the third and fourth innings.

The Cyclones threatened in the top of the seventh inning but starting pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl recorded two consecutive strikeouts with two Cyclones on base. The Cowgirls clinched the series with the 3-2 win.

Cyclones strike first

For the second straight day in Iowa State’s series with Oklahoma State, it was a Cyclone runner crossing the plate first after a Cowgirl mistake.

With two outs in the third inning, Mikayla Ramos came to the plate with Alesia Ranches and Sarah Tyree on base. Ramos was given a free pass to first base after she was hit by a pitch with a 2-2 count. The Oklahoma State coaching staff disputed the call, arguing the ball hit the knob of Ramos’ bat, but the umpires confirmed the call.

The bases became loaded for Iowa State and the inning was extended. Sophomore Angelina Allen then dug into the batter’s box and drilled a two RBI single up the middle. Tyree and Ranches came across the plate and Iowa State held a lead over the Cowgirls for the second time in the series.

In game one Friday night, Oklahoma State committed an error that would have ended the first inning but instead allowed Iowa State to score.

This time, the hit-by-pitch translated into two runs for the Cyclones. Oklahoma State again responded in the later innings, serving the Cyclones back-to-back losses. Iowa State’s two runs in the third were the only runs scored by head coach Jamie Pinkerton’s team Saturday.

Seventh inning threat

The Iowa State offense mounted a threat to the Cowgirl lead in the top of the seventh inning. Tiana Poole led off the inning with a groundout to second base. Carli Spelhaug then reached base on a walk. Ranches singled to put the go-ahead run on base for Iowa State.

Iowa State freshman Ashley Minor left the bench to pinch hit in the nine spot for Iowa State in the seventh with two on and two out. Fellow freshman Tatum Johnson started in left field and batted ninth for Iowa State but struck out twice at the plate.

Minor’s pinch-hit assignment came with the speedy Carli Spelhaug representing the tying run on second base. Minor worked the count to 2-2 but struck out looking to end the Iowa State threat and clinch the Oklahoma State win.

Kilfoyl’s complete game

Kilfoyl pitched a complete game and earned nine strikeouts against the Iowa State lineup. Kilfoyl’s three hits and two walks allowed all came in the third inning and seventh innings.

Kilfoyl, a transfer from Alabama, retired the Iowa State batters in her other five innings of work in the circle. The Oklahoma State defense made quick work of the Iowa State hitters with five one-two-three innings. Oklahoma State retired the first six Iowa State hitters and between the fourth and seventh innings no Cyclones reached base.

Kilfoyl improved her pitching record to 12-1 with two saves on the season.

Iowa State will face Oklahoma State to finish the series at noon Sunday. Iowa State will be in search of its second road win in the Big 12 conference.