The Iowa State softball team heads to Youngsville, Louisiana, for a five-game slate in the Mardi Gras Mambo.
The Cyclones enter the weekend with a 6-7 record after splitting their four games at the Sun Devil Classic. Through 13 games, they are averaging 4.6 runs per game while allowing 5.6.
Iowa State’s schedule features a slate of opponents that have struggled early in the season, including Stephen F. Austin (4-10), Southeastern Louisiana (11-6), Southern University (4-7), Houston Christian (3-9) and Grambling State (5-6).
Offensively, the Cyclones are led by freshman Jessie Clemons (.442), senior Angelina Allen (.415) and junior Sydney Malott (.381). The trio has been the heart of the lineup, each recording at least three doubles, two home runs and 10 or more RBIs.
In the circle, sophomore Lauren Schurman and junior Jaiden Ralston lead Iowa State in innings pitched, with Schurman tossing more than 25 and Ralston surpassing 15. Schurman holds a team-best 3.10 ERA, while freshman Abby Huhn made an impressive first career start last weekend, throwing a five-inning, one-hit shutout to lower her ERA to 4.20.
Defensively, Iowa State looks to clean up its fielding, carrying a .950 fielding percentage with 17 errors through 13 games.
Game One: Stephen F. Austin (Friday, 2 p.m.)
The Lumberjacks enter at 4-10, coming off an 0-4 showing at the Battle of the Bayou. They average 4.0 runs per game while allowing 5.5.
Sophomore Kaylee Paul leads the team with a .457 average and eight RBIs, while junior Gabby Coffey has driven in seven runs with three home runs.
Game Two: Southeastern Louisiana (Friday, 4 p.m.)
The Lions are 11-6 and are coming off a competitive showing at the JoAnne Graf Classic in Tallahassee, Florida, where they went 2-3 with close losses to No. 8 Florida State and No. 6 Texas A&M.
Southeastern Louisiana averages 6.2 runs per game while allowing just 2.3. Freshman c (.410) and sophomore Chloe Magee (.405) lead the team in batting average, while junior Maria Detillier (13 RBIs) and sophomore Brilee Ford (10 RBIs) pace the Lions in run production.
Game Three: Southern (Saturday, 3 p.m.)
The Lady Jaguars are 4-7 and enter fresh off the Warhawk Invitational in Monroe, Louisiana. They finished 1-1 before their final two games were canceled due to weather.
Southern is averaging 3.6 runs per game while allowing 8.4. Senior Alana Mark leads the offense with a .333 average and six RBIs on eight hits. No Southern player has recorded more than 10 hits this season.
Game Four: Houston Christian (Saturday, 5 p.m.)
The Huskies enter the weekend at 3-9 after going 1-3 at the Warhawk Invitational.
Houston Christian averages 2.8 runs per game while surrendering 6.3. Junior AB Garcia leads the team with a .486 average, while senior Haylie Savage (.417) has one home run and a team-high 12 RBIs.
Game Five: Grambling State (Sunday, 10 a.m.)
The Tigers are 5-6 after a 2-1 showing at the Capitol City Classic in Jackson, Mississippi. They average 6.5 runs per game and allow 6.8.
Junior Cadashia Collins (.429) and sophomore Kamryn Broussard (.334) lead Grambling State in batting average. Collins has driven in seven runs, while Broussard has hit the team’s lone home run and recorded two triples.
With a favorable slate against teams with sub-.500 records, Iowa State has an opportunity to build momentum and improve its record before heading into tougher competition. If the Cyclones can capitalize on their offensive firepower while tightening up their defense, they could leave Youngsville with a winning weekend and added confidence moving forward.
Iowa State’s weekend in Louisiana begins with its first match against Stephen F. Austin at 2 p.m. Friday.
