Iowa State opened Big 12 play with a dramatic 10-8 comeback victory over Houston in eight innings, improving to 1-0 in conference play and 10-9 overall.
The Cyclones struck first with a two-out RBI double in the opening frame, but Houston responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single and a two-run homer. Iowa State cut into the deficit with a solo home run in the fourth, only for the Cougars to erupt for five runs in the bottom half, extending their lead to 8-2.
That, however, was all Houston could manage as Iowa State stormed back with eight unanswered runs over the next four innings.
A two-run homer in the fifth and a three-run blast in the sixth brought the Cyclones within one. Later in the inning, a two-out RBI single tied the game at eight. After a scoreless seventh inning, Iowa State sealed the win in the eighth with a go-ahead two-run homer.
Offensive firepower
Iowa State’s bats stayed hot, recording 12 hits, with three Cyclones notching a multi-hit game. Freshman Jessie Clemons and sophomore Isabelle Nosan each tallied three hits, while junior Sydney Malott added two.
Four Cyclones homered and collected multiple RBIs. Malott got Iowa State on the board with an RBI double in the first before blasting a solo shot in the fourth. Senior Angelina Allen launched a two-run homer in the fifth, followed by Clemons’ three-run shot in the sixth.
Nosan delivered the game-tying RBI single and junior Reagan Bartholomew capped off the comeback with her two-run home run in the eighth.
Despite leaving 11 runners on base, the Cyclones remained patient at the plate, drawing six walks and swiping two bases while striking out seven times.
Pitching and defense
Sophomore Lauren Schurman started in the circle, tossing 2.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits, with two walks and one strikeout. Freshman Sami Potvin entered in the third and went 1.2 innings, giving up five earned runs on five hits, including three home runs.
Freshman Abby Huhn took over in the fifth and shut Houston down for the final four innings, allowing just two hits while striking out two and walking one.
Defensively, Iowa State played clean, committing no errors and turning a double play.
The Cyclones will look to extend their four-game winning streak in game two of the three-game series against Houston at 2 p.m. Saturday.
