AMES — The Cyclones concluded their three-game set against BYU with a 13-0 loss in five innings on Saturday, which now puts them at 17-17 overall and 7-5 in Big 12 play.
BYU gets on the board quickly, Iowa State’s offense held in check
BYU struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning on a two-run home run and an RBI single. The Cougars added a solo home run in the third, then exploded for nine more in the fifth, capitalizing on six hits, including four for extra bases, alongside three walks and a hit batter.
Offensively, Iowa State was held to just two hits. Juniors Reagan Bartholomew and Ashley Minor each collected one. Bartholomew connected for a single and Minor drove a double.
Freshman Karlee Ford, sophomore Paige Zender and senior Angelina Allen each drew a walk. The Cyclones also had one hit-by-pitch and struck out only three times. However, they were unable to turn baserunners into runs.
“I think we didn’t make adjustments today at the plate,” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “On Thursday, [BYU pitcher Kate Dahle] got us with the changeup early, but we made the adjustment and hit her hard. Today we didn’t. That starts with me. I should’ve been in their ears quicker. That’s on me.”
A multitude of pitchers
Four Cyclone pitchers saw time in the circle. Freshman Abby Huhn started and recorded just one out and allowed three hits, three runs and a walk. Junior Jaiden Ralston followed with four innings of work in which she gave up five hits and three earned runs with one walk.
Freshman Sami Potvin entered in the fifth and faced three batters, surrendering three earned runs on one hit and two walks. Sophomore Lauren Schurman closed out the final two outs but allowed four runs on four hits and one walk.
Pinkerton noted that the staff may have been overexposed during the series.
“We knew they were powerful coming in,” Pinkerton said. “For the most part, it was the first bad series we’ve had where we were overexposed. We were missing some spots from a pitching standpoint, and defensively, we had plays that weren’t routine, but we’re capable of making those. That was just a perfect storm. Overexposure, not making some plays, and giving up extra bases.”
Despite allowing 13 hits and 13 runs, the Cyclone defense did not commit any errors. However, Pinkerton stressed that several balls could have been played better and contributed to high-leverage situations for the pitchers.
“You can’t give teams four or five outs in an inning and expect to win,” Pinkerton said. “We’ve still got a lot to play for. We’re in a position this program hasn’t been in before, this high in the Big 12 standings this late in the season. We’ve just got to clean some things up.”
The Cyclones will look to bounce back from their two-game skid in a midweek non-conference matchup against Kansas City on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Cyclone Sports Complex.
