Iowa State’s (7-7) defense allowed a run in the first inning for the fourth straight game as they fell to Murray State (11-3) Sunday morning in Birmingham, Alabama. The Cyclones are 7-2 when they score first, but are 0-5 when allowing the first run.

Brianna Weilbacher made her third start of the season at pitcher for Iowa State.

After falling in a 1-0 hole in the top of the first inning, the Cyclones loaded the bases in the bottom half but were unable to score. Iowa State placed two more runners in scoring position in the second inning, but could not bring them home.

Murray State added another run in the third inning on an Iowa State error. Weilbacher was able to limit the damage with a bases-loaded strikeout to end the top half of the inning.

The Cyclones would tie the game in the bottom half of the inning on a Kaylee Bosworth RBI single and a Murray State error.

The Racers wasted no time regaining the lead with a 3-run home run.

Emma Hylen entered the game in the top of the fifth inning to pitch for the Cyclones.

Kelsey McFarland recorded her third hit in as many tries in the bottom half of the fifth. McFarland would eventually come home and cut the Murray State lead to two. Sami Williams would add another run for the Cyclones to pull within one, but that would be the closest the Cyclones get.

The Cyclones allowed two runs in the sixth inning and four in the seventh to fall 11-4 to the Racers.