AMES — Iowa State opened its three-game series against Baylor with a 10-0 loss in a lopsided offensive contest Friday. This marks the first double-digit margin of defeat since April 5.
The opening-game loss marks the Cyclones’ first in conference play, having gone 7-0 against conference opponents in series-opening games.
Errors, mental blunders lead to early mistakes
Iowa State opened the game with sophomore pitcher Lauren Schurman holding Baylor to no runs, one hit and two runners left on base. But after the first inning, everything fell apart.
Baylor scored its first run of the game on an error by junior third baseman McKenna Andrews. The Bears later extended that 1-0 lead to 3-0 in the third after a single from Karynton Dawson scored Brooklyn Carter.
“It’s really just one play at a time,” Andrews said. “Even though something terrible happened in the play before, you can only look forward.”
The third inning was closed on a sacrifice fly from Abi Flores and a single from Amber Toven. The Bears held Iowa State scoreless through the first three innings.
“It wasn’t good enough,” Iowa State head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “We didn’t play well defensively, didn’t make plays, but it wasn’t a secret that this [speed] was coming.”
Bullpen roulette amidst pitching struggles
Four pitchers made appearances for the Cyclones, none pitching more than two innings. Schurman gave up six hits in 2.1 innings and was then relieved by junior Jaiden Ralston, freshman Abby Huhn and sophomore Aziza Rodriguez. The three relievers combined for six hits, seven runs and three batted balls.
Ralston gave up the majority, allowing seven runs and four hits in seven at-bats.
“It happens,” Pinkerton said. “We didn’t throw strikes, didn’t play defense and in the bottom half, we didn’t answer.”
Seven-run fourth leads to double-digit lead
Everything went south in the fourth. Baylor extended its lead to 7-0 after Flores and Shaylon Govan batted in four runs. A three-run shot by Leah Cran gave the Bears a comfortable 10-0 lead.
“A common theme with this team is that when someone scores, we answer,” Pinkerton said. “We didn’t answer at any point in this game.”
The Bears loaded the bases three times between the second and fifth innings, stranding 10 base runners on 13 hits.
A lack of momentum ends the game
Iowa State made no attempt to rally in the closing stages. The only base runner to reach for the Cyclones in the fifth inning was shortstop Jesse Clemons on a fielder’s choice.
Clemons was left on base to end the inning.
“We just have to make adjustments,” Andrews said. “We’re going to come back, make those adjustments and show up ready to play.
Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. The contest will also stream live on ESPN+.
