The Cyclones went 3-2 this weekend they are now 13-12 overall. Iowa State lost against Northwestern and Lipscomb but they beat Houston, Penn State and Lipscomb. 

Single

Both of Iowa State’s losses were close. The Cyclones lost the two games with a score of 1-0. With a score of 1-0 that usually means two things. One, there was strong pitching for both teams. Two, both teams put on an amazing defensive performance.

In the first loss against Northwestern, Iowa State and Northwestern got into a classic pitcher’s duel. Savannah Sanders for the Cyclones and Morgan Newport for the Wildcats were on the mound. The duel went all the way into the seventh inning when the Wildcats hit a walk-off double.

The Cyclones second loss came against Lipscomb on the second day of the tournament. Lipscomb got their one and only run in the top of the first inning. A combined effort from pitchers Sanders and Emma Hylen kept the score at 1-0.

Lipscomb’s pitcher was too tough to beat. She pitched seven innings with eight strikeouts and only two hits. 

Although both games counted as a loss for the Cyclones they have several components to be proud of. Strong pitching and strong defensive performances were the key. Iowa State had several chances to score but they could not convert.

Double

The Cyclones saw four complete games pitched by their starting pitchers. Brianna Weilbacher, Sanders and Hylen each recorded a complete game.

Sanders pitched a complete game shutout against Northwestern. She pitched six and one-third innings and gave up one run on a walk-off double. Sanders gave up five hits, two walks, and she struck out one.

Iowa State lost that game 1-0. She is 3-5 this season.

Weilbacher got one start this weekend for the Cyclones. Weilbacher shined in the win against Houston on Saturday. She pitched seven innings giving up only 2 hits and one run. Weilbacher had six strikeouts in the game. The Cyclones won that game 4-1. She is now 6-2 this season.

Hylen was on fire this weekend. Hylen pitched in three games, two of which she started. Her first win came on Friday against Lipscomb. She pitched a complete game giving up five hits and on run. Hylen had five strikeouts in the game. The Cyclones won 6-1. 

Hylen’s second performance came on Saturday against Lipscomb again. She came in for Sanders with no outs in the fourth inning. Hylen pitched four innings, giving up only two hits. She had four strikeouts in the game, but Iowa State fell to Lipscomb 1-0.

Hylen’s last start was on the last day against Penn State. Hylen pitched a complete game shutout against Penn State. She only gave up three hits. Strong pitching from Hylen and a strong defensive performance led the Cyclones to a 3-0 victory of Penn State. Hylen is now 4-4 this season.

Each pitcher had at least one outstanding performance this past weekend.

Triple

The offensive showed up big time for the Cyclones this weekend.

In the first win for Iowa State against Lipscomb, the Cyclones scored six runs. It was all Sally Woolpert, Kaylee Bosworth and Sami Williams. Woolpert had an RBI single in the game. Bosworth went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Williams went 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs. 

The second win for Iowa State was against Houston 4-1. Woolpert had an RBI single in the third to score Williams and to tie the game 1-1. Williams then had an RBI single in the fourth to score Carter and give the Cyclones a 2-1 lead. And an error from Houston allowed Williams and Kalia Konz to score making it 4-1 Cyclones.

In the Cyclones’ final game, they beat Penn State 3-0. It was all Williams and Sydney Stites in this game. Williams had a home run in the first inning to give the Cyclones the 1-0 lead. Stites had a home run in the third inning which scored Williams and gave the Cyclones the 3-0 lead.

Williams was a key player for the offense this weekend.

Homerun

It was a team effort for the Cyclones this weekend. When the pitching was there, so was the offense. In each of the three wins for the Cyclones the pitching and offense shined. 

It’s been a tough season for the Cyclones to get their bats rolling. They proved this weekend that they have what it takes to get wins and play against strong competitors.

Hylen showed she has what it takes after struggling early in the season.

Iowa State came together as a team to get work done on the offensive and defensive side. 

The key players were Hylen, Williams, Stites, Weilbacher, Bosworth and Woolpert.

This weekend the Cyclones saw major progress from both sides. Iowa State put in an outstanding team effort to win three games.