The Iowa State softball team went 2-0 on day two of the Marucci Desert Classic, moving their record for the tournament to 3-1.

Strong pitching in the relief position from junior right-handed pitcher Savannah Sanders helped the Cyclones win both games late.

Iowa State vs. Brigham Young University (BYU) – Cyclones 5, Cougars 3

The Cyclones beat the Cougars 5-3 in the first game of day two. The Cyclones took the mound with senior right handed pitcher Brianna Weilbacher. She pitched five innings, only giving up only three runs on five hits. She had four strikeouts on the day.

In the top of the fourth inning, sophomore infielder Sami Williams got the Cyclones started with an RBI base hit to left field, allowing junior outfielder Taylor Nearad to score from second base and giving the Cyclones the early 1-0 lead. Williams then ran home on a wild pitch, scoring another run for the Cyclones and making the score 2-0 Iowa State.

In the bottom of the fourth, BYU tied the game up after Weilbacher gave up two RBI singles to right field. Weilbacher returned to pitch in the fifth inning.

The Cougars scored on a bases-loaded infield single. Weilbacher got out of the jam with a strikeout.

Junior right-handed pitcher Savannah Sanders entered the game in the sixth inning for the Cyclones. She had a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth to send the Cyclones to the seventh inning. Sanders gave up only one hit in relief.

Junior catcher Kaylee Bosworth came up big in the seventh inning with her first home run of the season. Bosworth launched a two-run home run over the left field fence giving the Cyclones the 4-3 lead.

The Cyclones extended their lead in the seventh inning when sophomore outfielder Hannah Carter hit an RBI single to right field allowing senior outfielder Kaila Konz to score.

Iowa State won against BYU 5-3. Savannah Sanders got the win in relief.

Iowa State vs. Nevada – Cyclones 6, Wolf Pack 5

The Cyclones took the mound with junior right-handed pitcher Emma Hylen. Hylen pitched five innings giving up five runs, seven hits and two strikeouts. 

The Cyclones scored first in the bottom of the third. Bosworth had her second home run of the day with a two-run home run to left field giving the Cyclones a 2-0 lead.

The offense stayed hot in the third. An RBI from Konz scored sophomore infielder Talyn Lewis after she reached on an error and stole second. The Cyclones extended their lead to 3-0.

Iowa State kept going in the third. Sophomore outfielder Hannah Carter hit an RBI single to center allowing freshman outfielder Bryn Hanrahan to score. Iowa State ended the third with a 4-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth, Nevada tied the game with a grand slam.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Cyclones regained the lead when Lewis hit an RBI double to left scoring Williams from second. The Cyclones took a 5-4 lead heading into the fifth.

Nevada responded again with an RBI double tying the game 5-5. Sanders took over in the middle of the fifth inning and got out of a bases loaded jam. She only gave up two hits in relief.

In the bottom of the sixth, Williams hit a double to right field. Junior infielder Sydney Stites hit the game winning RBI single to right allowing Williams to score and giving the Cyclones a 6-5 lead. 

Iowa State beat Nevada 6-5 after a nearly perfect performance from Sanders in the relief position.