AMES, Iowa – One pitch made all the difference in Friday’s series opener between Iowa State (13-19, 3-7 Big 12) and Kansas (23-12-1, 8-5 Big 12), as the Cyclones fell to the Jayhawks 7-1 at the Cyclone Sports Complex.
With the score tied at one and the bases loaded, Kansas’s Hailey Cripe blasted one over the left field fence to break the game open, as the Jayhawks snapped a four-game losing streak.
Carli Spelhaug was tied for a game-high two hits, as she was the lone Cyclone with multiple hits on the day as she also drove in the team’s lone run. Angelina Allen, Alesia Ranches, Tiana Poole and Ashley Minor also notched hits on the day. Allen, Ranches and Minor also drew a walk.
Jaiden Ralston (2-5) got the start in the circle for the Cyclones, going 4.2 innings and striking out three Jayhawks. Ralston started hot, but got into a tricky predicament in the fifth, as KU loaded the bases and eventually had a grand slam. Lauren Schurman and Karlie Charles both made relief appearances in the loss.
A trio of Jayhawks had a pair of hits on the day, with Cripe leading the charge. Cripe ended the game with a whopping six RBI with four coming on her grand slam and the other two coming off of a double in the seventh. KU’s pitcher, Katie Brooks, went the distance, allowing one run on six hits and striking out three Cyclones.
How it Happened
After a leadoff strikeout, both Allen and Ranches ripped off singles to put a pair on the path for ISU. Both Allen and Ranches would advance on a passed ball and were eventually driven in by Spelhaug who hit an infield single to the shortstop. Iowa State then loaded the bases but a pop-up ended the frame as the Cyclones left the bases stranded.
A pitcher’s duel then broke out for the next three frames as both teams were held scoreless until Kansas broke through in the fifth. With one on and two outs, KU singled up the middle to score the game tying run and place one on first. Another single and a walk and the bases were juiced for the Jayhawks. Schurman replaced Ralston with the bases loaded and Cripe welcomed her to the game with her fourth blast of the year to make it 5-1 I favor of Kansas.
The Jayhawks would pile on two more runs in the seventh, shutting the Cyclone attack down in the final three frames as they claimed their 23rd win of the season.
Friday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: N/A
Kansas: Hailey Cripe (4)
WP – Katie Brooks (11-3): 7.0 IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Jaiden Ralston (2-5): 4.2 IP, 3 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts
On Deck Plus a Schedule Update
Due to Sunday’s forecast, the Sunday matchup against Kansas has been moved to tomorrow, April 6, as part of a doubleheader. Game one starts tomorrow at 1 p.m. with game two to follow at 4 p.m. or 30 minutes after game one’s completion.
