AMES — Iowa State is set to travel to Salt Lake City to face Utah for its seventh Big 12 series of the season. The Cyclones enter the matchup 26-19 (11-7 Big 12, fifth place), while the Utes sit at 12-34 (4-14 Big 12, 10th place).
Utah leads the all-time series 6-3, but the Cyclones are riding a three-game win streak against the Utes that dates back to 2003. This weekend marks the first meeting between the programs in six years.
Iowa State enters the weekend on a three-game win streak following victories over South Dakota State and Northern Iowa, as well as a series win against Kansas. Over the last six games, the Cyclones have scored 34 runs while allowing 32.
“We’ve played a lot of games in a short period of time, but this group has grinded it out,” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “The bats are starting to come alive at the right time, and this weekend will be another chance to show that.”
The Cyclones rank above average in all offensive categories and sit third in the Big 12 with 63 doubles. At the plate, Iowa State is led by freshman standout Jessie Clemons (.383), with junior Tatum Johnson (.368), freshman Sereniti Trice (.367) and senior Angelina Allen (.331) rounding out a potent lineup.
“Lately, I’ve just been trying to keep things simple—looking for my pitch and trying to hit it hard,” Johnson said. “We’ve got two days to rest up and prepare for Utah’s pitchers, and we’ll be ready.”
Trice and Clemons lead the team in runs scored with 40 and 36, respectively, while Clemons and Trice also top the hits chart with 57 and 55. Clemons paces the team in doubles with 12.
Junior Sydney Malott continues to lead in power numbers with 10 home runs and eight doubles. Johnson follows with six homers and junior Reagan Bartholomew holds five home runs with a team-high 34 RBIs. Malott and Clemons closely trail with 32 and 31 RBIs, respectively.
In the circle, sophomore Lauren Schurman (3.39 ERA) leads the staff with 40 appearances, 117.2 innings pitched and 60 strikeouts. Junior Jaiden Ralston has appeared 35 times, pitching 86 innings with 48 strikeouts. Freshmen Abby Huhn (21 APP, 48.1 IP) and Sami Potvin (27.2 IP, 17 K) round out the rotation.
“I think we’re managing things well as a pitching staff, even with the heavy workload,” Schurman said. “We’ve got a good training staff and support system that helps us stay sharp, so I feel ready for the weekend.”
Defensively, the Cyclones rank third-to-last in the Big 12 in fielding percentage (.962), with 49 errors and 24 double plays.
Utah, meanwhile, enters the weekend on an 11-game losing streak. The Utes have averaged 4.83 runs per game over their last six but have allowed nine runs per game in that stretch.
On offense, Utah is led by senior Kaylah Nelsen (.339), freshman Kennedy Proctor (.333) and sophomore Shonty Passi (.325). Nelsen leads the team in hits (56) and doubles (11), while Proctor and junior Emily Capobianco share the team lead in home runs with six. Proctor, Passi and Capobianco also pace the team in RBIs.
In the circle, freshman Hailey Maestretti (3.73 ERA) leads Utah with 114.1 innings pitched and 56 strikeouts. Sophomore Shelbee Jones (106.1 IP, 88 K) and redshirt sophomore Brooklyn Carreon (73.2 IP, 33 K) complete the three-pitcher rotation.
The Utes rank last in the Big 12 in fielding percentage (.948) and lead the Big 12 with 72 errors. However, they also lead the Big 12 with 33 double plays.
“We know Utah is going to come out fighting, but if we stick to our approach, we’ll be successful,” Allen said. “We’re focused on playing our game.”
Iowa State will look to continue its climb in the Big 12 standings and reinforce its place in the top four. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, followed by game two at 1 p.m. Saturday and the series finale at 12 p.m. Sunday. All games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
