Iowa State softball took down Kansas in a contested 7-5 game to clinch the series win against Kansas.

Iowa State took the previous matchup on Friday by a score of 3-1, and it got another win in a tight race in the Big 12.

Spelhaug and Swain close out game for Iowa State

Senior Ellie Spelhaug and junior Saya Swain were the last two pitchers for Iowa State in Saturday’s contest as they completely shut down Kansas’ offense through six combined innings.

Both Spelhaug and Swain are coming off of phenomenal performances Friday, and continued their performances on short notice in a crucial win for Iowa State.

Spelhaug came in for relief of Jaiden Ralston after the bottom of the first inning and held Kansas to only three hits and one walk in her three innings of relief.

Swain once again earned another save making it her sixth of the season and it was her sixth save of her career. Swain also moved into fourth place all-time for Iowa State in saves as she tied with Alyssa Ransom for fourth place.

She came in for relief of Spelhaug in the bottom of the fifth inning as she looked to close out the game for Iowa State.

Swain did just that and pitched three innings of no-run softball as she only allowed three hits and four walks in her appearance while also striking out three batters.

Spelhaug and Swain have been huge pieces to Iowa State’s recent success this season as they have come in day in and day out and performed their best for the Cyclones even on short rest.

Early scoring and late insurance secures win for Cyclones

Iowa State’s offense started off strong in Saturday’s game versus Kansas as it put up six runs in the first two innings of the game.

This did not give the Cyclones the lead they thought they would have as they would only be leading by one run throughout the majority of the game since Kansas would put up five runs in those two innings as well.

There would end up being a scoring stalemate for four innings by both teams until the seventh inning where Iowa State would score an extra insurance run to eventually give them the win to close out the game.

Junior Milaysia Ochoa was responsible for four runs for Iowa State as she finished her day with two hits in four plate appearances as she continues to have a dominant season for the Cyclones.

Senior Carli Spelhaug also had a great game for Iowa State as she replicated Ochoa’s day going two for four in her plate appearances on the day as she played a major role in the Cyclones win Saturday.

Junior Camille Marin and Senior Alesia Ranches also collected two hits in their plate appearances today as well as Iowa State finished the day with 11 hits on the day in a dogfight with Kansas.

The stakes are high going into Sunday’s matchup

With Iowa State’s win Saturday over Kansas, the team has at a minimum finished in fifth place in the Big 12 conference.

But the Cyclones aren’t going to accept being in fifth place when they have a chance to jump No. 20 Baylor for fourth place.

No. 20 Baylor will have to play No. 5 Texas Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in order to fight for a chance to stay in fourth place in the conference. The Bears took down the Longhorns on Friday night in a mercy rule.

Iowa State holds a 6-11 record in the conference while No. 20 Baylor currently sits at 6-10 in conference as it will all ultimately come down to Sunday’s contests in order to determine the final Big 12 standings for the 2023 season.

The Cyclones will take on Kansas at noon Sunday for one final time to go for the sweep.