The Cyclones are set to travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for their fifth Big 12 series against No. 17 Oklahoma State. Iowa State enters the matchup at 18-17 (7-5 Big 12), while the Cowgirls sit at 23-12 (5-5 Big 12).
Oklahoma State leads the all-time series 82-28, though Iowa State won two of the three games in Ames last season when the Cowgirls were ranked No. 5.
Iowa State is coming off a 9-1 win over Kansas City, closing a seven-game homestand with a 4-3 record. Though the Cyclones have battled strong hitting and defensive inconsistencies, their offense continues to produce. Over the last seven games, Iowa State has averaged 4.43 runs per game and allowed 7.14.
At the plate, the Cyclones are led by freshman duo Sereniti Trice (.365) and Jessie Clemons (.357), with junior Tatum Johnson (.348) and senior Angelina Allen (.336) close behind.
Trice leads the team in runs scored (35), followed by Clemons and Allen (25). Clemons and Trice lead in hits with 42 and 41, respectively, and Clemons also leads in doubles with nine.
Junior Sydney Malott has seven doubles and shares the team lead in home runs with fellow junior Reagan Bartholomew at five total. Bartholomew leads the team in RBIs (26), with Clemons (24) and Malott (23) closely behind.
Following the Kansas City game, Trice shared her mindset heading into the road test against the Cowgirls.
“I think I’m mentally preparing,” Trice said. “We know that there’s gonna be a lot of fans and it’s gonna be a loud environment, but I think we’re really excited and we’re going out there confident.”
In the circle, sophomore Lauren Schurman (3.02 ERA) leads the team with 88 innings pitched. She has struck out 48 batters and allowed 33 walks. Junior Jaiden Ralston (54.2 IP, 33 K, 28 BB) provides support. Freshmen Abby Huhn (3.72 ERA, 43.1 IP) and Sami Potvin (26 IP) round out the staff.
Defensively, Iowa State continues to search for consistency. The Cyclones rank second-to-last in fielding percentage in the Big 12 (.959), having committed 37 errors, which is fourth most in the conference, and turning 16 double plays.
Head coach Jamie Pinkerton said this upcoming series is a major challenge for the team but also a big opportunity.
“They’re probably looking for a little revenge,” Pinkerton said. “We won the series last year here when they were ranked number five. They’ll probably be looking for a little redemption, so we’ll have to be ready from the get-out.”
The Cowgirls enter the weekend on a three-game losing streak, going 4-3 over their last seven. They’ve averaged 4.57 runs per game in that stretch while allowing 4.43.
Offensively, Oklahoma State boasts the third-best batting average in the Big 12 (.317) and has struck out the fewest times (110). However, it ranks in the bottom half of the conference in hits, doubles and walks.
The Cowgirls’ lineup features sophomore Tia Warsop (.385), graduate student Megan Delgadillo (.355), and sophomores Rosie Davis (.353) and Karli Godwin (.346).
Delgadillo leads in hits with 38, with Davis and Godwin close behind. Junior Tallen Edwards leads the way in doubles at nine, followed by Davis and Goodwin at seven. Junior Amanda Hasler leads in home runs with nine, while Davis leads in RBIs (37).
On the mound, the Cowgirls have the second-best ERA in the Big 12 (2.41), while allowing the fewest hits (141) and runs (84). Junior ace Ruby Meylan (1.56 ERA, 125.1 IP, 145 K) leads a deep rotation, including Katie Kutz (4.43 ERA, 55.1 IP), Kyra Aycock and RyLee Crandall.
Defensively, Oklahoma State ranks first in the Big 12 in fielding percentage (.974) and has committed the fewest errors (22).
Iowa State will look to carry momentum from its midweek win and continue to prove itself in conference play. A series win would reinforce its spot among the Big 12’s top tier.
First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Friday, with games two and three set for Saturday and Sunday, both at noon. All games will be live-streamed on ESPN+.
