AMES — The Cyclones are set to host out-of-state rival Kansas for their sixth Big 12 series of the season. Iowa State enters the matchup 21-18 (9-6 Big 12, fourth place), while the Jayhawks sit at 18-20 (4-11, ninth place).
Kansas leads the all-time series 69-50 and is riding a four-game win streak over Iowa State, including a sweep in last season’s matchup.
Iowa State is coming off a 9-5 Cy-Hawk win over Iowa and a Big 12 series win against Oklahoma State. Over the last four games, it has scored 23 runs and allowed 23 runs.
The Cyclones also enter the weekend tied for the Big 12 lead in doubles with 60, showcasing their offensive potential.
At the plate, Iowa State is led by freshmen duo Jessie Clemons (.383) and Sereniti Trice (.374), with junior Tatum Johnson (.325) and senior Angelina Allen (.320) close behind.
Trice leads the team in runs scored with 37 and shares the team lead in hits with Clemons at 49. Clemons also leads the team in doubles with 11.
Junior Sydney Malott continues to lead in power numbers with eight doubles and a team-high nine home runs. Junior Reagan Bartholomew follows with five home runs and a team-best 29 RBIs, tied with Malott. Clemons and Allen continue to drive in runs consistently with 26 and 20, respectively.
“Yeah, I think it’s just kind of honing in on what we did well, but also working on things that we didn’t do well, and hopefully improving those for the weekend,” Bartholomew said.
In the circle, sophomore Lauren Schurman (2.87 ERA) leads the staff with 100 innings pitched and 52 strikeouts. Junior Jaiden Ralston has thrown 67 innings with 39 strikeouts, while freshmen Abby Huhn (4.41 ERA, 46 IP) and Sami Potvin (26.2 IP) round out the rotation.
Defensively, the Cyclones still seek consistency. They rank second-to-last in the Big 12 in fielding percentage at .958, with 47 errors and have turned 20 double plays.
With a short turnaround from their midweek win, head coach Jamie Pinkerton emphasized the need for quick preparation.
“We usually do scouts on Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday mornings here if we’re playing at home,” Pinkerton said. “It’s compacted, but I’m gonna have a late night and try to prepare for all the pitchers. We set up the machines and match them with who we think we’re going to see.”
Kansas enters the weekend 2-5 in its last seven games, having been swept by Arizona and dropping two of three to Arizona State. The Jayhawks have averaged 3.43 runs and allowed 5.43 in that stretch.
Offensively, Kansas is powered by a trio of juniors Presley Limbaugh (.369), Aynslee Linduff (.336), Hailey Cripe (.324) and senior Olivia Bruno (.304). Limbaugh and Linduff lead in hits, with Bruno and Cripe driving the power numbers seven and six home runs, respectively.
On the mound, Bruno (2.42 ERA, 52 IP) anchors a balanced staff that includes four other pitchers with at least 37 innings. Katie Brooks (56 IP), Kaelee Washington (54.2 IP), Lizzy Ludwig (48.1 IP) and Kennedy Diggs (37 IP) round out the rotation.
“I think we’re just gonna have to really lock in on film, do our best to study the pitchers and do what we know we can do up there,” sophomore Isabelle Nosan said, who had a key pinch-hit performance in Tuesday’s win over Iowa.
Defensively, Kansas ranks fifth-worst in the Big 12 in fielding percentage at .965 with 39 errors and only 12 double plays turned, which ranks second-fewest in the league.
Iowa State will look to continue its rise in the standings and reinforce its place in the Big 12’s top four. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. Thursday, with game two scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday and the finale at 1 p.m. Saturday. All three games will be live-streamed on ESPN+.
