AMES — Iowa State fell to Kansas 13-5 in five innings in the final game of the series Saturday at the Cyclone Sports Complex. The Cyclones dropped to 23-19 overall and 11-7 in Big 12 play.
Jayhawks jump ahead early
After a quick one-two-three inning from junior Jaiden Ralston, the Jayhawks found their groove at the plate. Kansas opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single by sophomore Anna Soles in the second, then struck big in the third.
Following back-to-back singles, senior Olivia Bruno launched a three-run homer to center, giving Kansas a 4-0 lead.
Iowa State answered quickly as sophomore Isabelle Nosan singled, and junior McKenna Andrews followed with a two-run homer to left, her second of the season.
“I was looking for something early in the count, hard,” Andrews said. “I didn’t want to see any of her junk, so I just took that opportunity on the first pitch and sent it.”
Kansas explodes in the fourth, Cyclones show fight
Freshman Abby Huhn came on in relief and quickly recorded an out, but Kansas did not slow down. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases, which was then followed by junior Hailey Cripe roping a two-run double to right.
Sophomore Lauren Schurman then entered and struck out her first batter before giving up a three-run blast to junior Campbell Bagshaw.
Trailing 9-2, Iowa State loaded the bases after a walk from senior Angelina Allen, a single by junior Reagan Bartholomew and another walk to Nosan. A passed ball brought Allen home before junior Ashley Minor lined a two-RBI single over shortstop to cut the deficit to 9-5.
“At the end of the day, I knew I had bases loaded and just needed to put something in play,” Minor said. “I think we competed really well. Defense was on. Hitting was on. Kansas just found a way to open up their bats a little bit.”
Jayhawks seal it with another big inning
Schurman remained in the game for the fifth and again ran into trouble. A leadoff walk and single set up an RBI knock by junior Presley Limbaugh.
Another single loaded the bases, followed by a walk to Bruno that brought in a run. Bagshaw capped the day with a two-RBI single, giving Kansas a 13-5 lead.
The Cyclones were retired in order in the bottom of the fifth and the game ended in a run-rule loss.
Iowa State collected six hits and three walks while striking out four times and leaving four on base. Andrews and Minor each drove in two runs, while Nosan scored twice.
Ralston allowed four runs over three innings, Huhn was tagged for four in 0.1 innings and Schurman allowed five more over 1.2.
“[Kansas] came out hungry and squared up a lot of balls,” Iowa State head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “They were just the better team today. That happens.”
Pinkerton acknowledged the toll the series took on his pitching staff.
“They were overtaxed and overexposed,” Pinkerton said. “Once Kansas started flipping the lineup, it just kind of got away from us.”
Iowa State will look to rebound quickly at home in Monday’s non-conference doubleheader against South Dakota State. Game one starts at 1 p.m. Monday, with game two scheduled for 4 p.m. The games will also be live-streamed on ESPN+.
