The Iowa State softball team will soon head to Provo, Utah to resume Big 12 play against BYU.
Iowa State is 3-10 against BYU, with the most recent meeting showing the Cyclones ousting the Cougars 4-2 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.
After a 1-2 home weekend against No. 19 Oklahoma State, Iowa State cruised through its midweek matchup against South Dakota, picking up an 8-0 run-rule victory.
“We had the four-run inning and then when we came back out, we were a little flat,” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “I didn’t really say anything. I just let them figure it out, and they did.”
Iowa State recorded five hits but walked five times. A three-run homer from sophomore catcher Karlee Ford and a grand slam from junior utility Isabelle Nosan put the game away against the Coyotes. The Cyclones’ home run count now sits at 62, good for fifth in the Big 12.
Senior right-handed pitcher Jaiden Ralston earned her second win of the season after a five-inning, two-hit shutout, striking out four and walking none.
“After the weekend she had, coming back and throwing a two-hitter like that was huge,” Pinkerton said. “She came in on her own and put the work in, and it showed.”
The Cyclones moved to 25-17 and 5-10 in conference play as they prepare to travel to Provo. BYU has a lower overall record but an identical conference mark, at 15-26 and 5-10 in Big 12 play.
The Cougars sit on a four-game win streak after a home Big 12 sweep of Houston and a Tuesday 9-6 victory against Utah Valley.
Iowa State also owns a three-game sweep against Houston dating back to the weekend of March 20.
The Cougars’ team batting average sits at .271, which ranks last in the Big 12.
Four Cougars are hitting above .300, with sophomore infielder Danica Acosta leading the team at .346.
BYU has four hitters above a .900 OPS, with senior utility Lily Owens the only Cougar above 1.000, sitting at 1.062.
In the power numbers, sophomore catcher Ilove’a Brittingham leads with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs. Owens is close behind at nine homers and 23 RBIs.
In the circle, every BYU pitcher carries an ERA above 7.00, with junior left-handed pitcher Gianna Mares serving as the No. 1 option, holding a 7.06 ERA in 17 starts and 93 innings, striking out 94 while walking 83.
The Miller Park Complex sits in the valley of the Wasatch Range at an elevation of 3,549 feet above sea level, which poses a unique challenge for the Cyclones.
“Altitude is a big thing,” Pinkerton said. “The ball just flies out there, so we’ve got to keep it down and limit the long ball.”
Sophomore utility Jessie Clemons shared the importance of staying focused despite BYU’s record.
“South Dakota was a solid team, and BYU will be the same way,” Clemons said. “We’re definitely not going to look past them. We just have to prepare and come out and do what we know we can do.”
Junior right-handed pitcher Lauren Schurman pointed to the benefit of Iowa State’s recent home stretch of games to prepare for the weekend.
“I think it’s easier to get into a rhythm when you’re playing a lot,” Schurman said. “Facing good teams helps us rise to the occasion.”
The three-game series will start at 7 p.m. Thursday and will be streamed on ESPN+.
