The Cyclones are set to begin a nine-game home stretch that starts with their third Big 12 series of the season against Arizona State. Iowa State enters the matchup at 14-14 (4-2 Big 12), while the Sun Devils hold a 23-10 (5-4 Big 12) record. 

Historically, Arizona State has dominated the series, leading 13-4. Iowa State is currently on a seven-game losing streak against the Sun Devils dating back to 1998.

The Cyclones are coming off a dominant three-game sweep of UCF, where their pitching staff allowed just two total runs. Despite being faced with strong opposing pitching, Iowa State found ways to produce runs when needed.

Offensively, Iowa State averages 4.71 runs per game while allowing 5.21 runs per contest. In Big 12 play, the Cyclones have averaged 3.33 runs per game while surrendering 3.17. As a team, Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 42 doubles.

The lineup is led by standout freshmen Sereniti Trice (.372) and Jessie Clemons (.372), who share the team’s best batting average. Junior Tatum Johnson (.333), senior Angelina Allen (.330) and junior Sydney Malott (.326) closely follow. 

Trice and Clemons lead the team with 35 hits each, while Malott and Allen have 30 apiece. Clemons paces the team in doubles with nine, while five other Cyclones have recorded five each. 

Power production has come from Malott (5 HR), Clemons (4 HR), Allen (4 HR), Johnson (3 HR) and junior Reagan Bartholomew (3 HR). Malott and Clemons lead in RBIs with 22 each, followed by Bartholomew (18) and Allen (15).

In the circle, sophomore Lauren Schurman (2.72 ERA) leads the pitching staff with 72 innings pitched, striking out 42 while allowing 28 walks. Junior Jaiden Ralston (39.2 IP, 27 K, 22 BB) provides additional depth. Freshmen Abby Huhn (3.47 ERA, 38.1 IP, 8 K) and Sami Potvin (4.77 ERA, 22 IP, 16 K) round out the rotation.

Defensively, the Cyclones rank third-to-last in the Big 12 in fielding percentage (.960). They have committed 32 errors (sixth-fewest in the conference) and turned 14 double plays (sixth-best in the Big 12).

The Sun Devils are coming off a home series against in-state rival No. 10 Arizona, where they went 1-2. On the season, Arizona State averages 5.24 runs per game and allows 4.91. In Big 12 play, it has averaged 2.89 runs per game and surrendered 4.22.

Arizona State boasts one of the conference’s most potent offenses and ranks near the top in several Big 12 categories, including batting average (.313, fourth), runs (173, fourth), hits (270, third), doubles (48, second), home runs (35, third) and RBIs (163, fourth).

Their lineup is fueled by a trio of upperclassmen: senior AJ Murphy (.385), junior Tanya Windle (.382) and graduate student Kelsey Hall (.373). Sophomore Samantha Swan (.333) and freshman Tiare Ho-Ching (.317) provide additional depth. 

Windle leads the team with 42 hits, followed by Hall with 38. Windle (11), Swan (nine), and Ho-Ching (nine) lead the team in doubles. Power production has come from Hall and freshman Ashleigh Mejia, who have each hit eight home runs. Hall also leads the team with 35 RBIs.

Pitching has been a key strength for Arizona State, ranking sixth in the Big 12 in ERA at 3.14, while leading the conference in strikeouts (282) and ranking second in innings pitched (225.1). 

Senior ace Kenzie Brown (0.98 ERA, 86 IP, 137 K) has been dominant, with sophomore Meika Lauppe (2.52 ERA, 64 IP, 47 K) providing strong support. Freshmen Julianne Tipton (5.46 ERA, 42.1 IP, 31 K) and Cambree Creager (7.00 ERA, 33 IP, 18 K) round out the staff.

Defensively, the Sun Devils rank fifth in the Big 12 in fielding percentage at .966. They have committed 33 errors, which is fifth-most in the conference, and have turned just seven double plays, the fewest in the Big 12.

Iowa State will look to carry the momentum from its UCF sweep into its first home Big 12 series of the season against an Arizona State team that boasts a strong offense and pitching. A series win could solidify the Cyclones as a legitimate contender in the conference and provide a crucial spark moving forward. 

Iowa State is set for a doubleheader, with the first pitch at 1 p.m. Friday, followed by game two approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one at the Cyclone Sports Complex. The final game of the series will start at 1 p.m. Saturday.