WACO, Texas – Iowa State (12-17, 3-5 Big 12) evened the weekend series against No. 23 Baylor (18-12, 2-9 Big 12) on Friday afternoon, using a three-run seventh inning to overtake the nationally-ranked Bears, 3-2.
After tallying just one hit the night prior against the Bears, Iowa State’s bats came to life on Friday, as the Cyclones notched nine hits on the day to pull the ranked road win.
ISU was held scoreless for the first six innings, marking 13 consecutive scoreless innings against the Bears before the Cyclones broke through in the seventh inning. In the seventh, ISU strung together four hits to score three runs to overcome a 2-0 deficit and earn a come-from-behind victory.
Milaysia Ochoa, McKenna Andrews and Olivia Wardlow all had multiple hits on the day, with Ochoa driving in one run. Alesia Ranches accounted for the other two RBI, as her go-ahead base knock in the seventh was the difference. Ranches also drew a pair of walks on the afternoon.
Lauren Schurman started in the circle for the Cyclones, as the freshman from Delaware allowed just one run on two hits in her two and a third innings. Jaiden Ralston (2-3) relieved Schurman and threw the remaining four and two-thirds innings, allowing just one more run while striking out four Bears.
Not to be overshadowed on the day, Baylor’s Aliyah Binford hurled six innings of action, striking out 11 Cyclones along the way. Baylor’s lockdown pitcher from Thursday, RyLee Crandall (8-5), came in for a save opportunity in the seventh inning, but she allowed three runs and a pair of runs as she earned her fifth loss of the season.
How it Happened
Iowa State threatened to get on the board early, as an Angelina Allen single and pair of walks loaded the bases in the top of the first with one out. Binford escaped the jam, though, striking out the next two ISU batters to keep the scoreboard at zero.
Action picked up in the third, as Baylor got on the board first. Three singles from the Bears would load the bases and force an ISU pitching change with power-hitter Shaylon Govan at the plate. Govan drew a walk, forcing in a run as Baylor went up 1-0. Ralston settled in, though, striking out the final BU player to escape the jam.
The Cyclones threatened again in the sixth placing runners on the corners, looking to tie the game up. Again though, Binford settled in and struck out the final ISU batter to escape another inning unscathed.
Baylor scored its second and final run in the bottom of the frame, as it had runners on the corners with two outs. The Baylor runner at first took off for second, and in an attempt to throw them out, Camille Marin side-stepped left of the right-handed batter and threw down. However, the ball hit the batter’s bat and bounced away, allowing the BU runner from third to score and give the Bears a two-run advantage.
Iowa State finally strung together some hits in the seventh inning, as it was down to its last call at the plate. Andrews again led the inning off with a single, followed by Wardlow, who also singled to put runners on first and second. Ochoa then stepped to the plate and belted a double to the left-center wall to score one and trim the Baylor lead to just one. Following a line-out, Ranches spanked a single into left field to score both Ochoa and Wardlow as Iowa State took its first lead of the series. Crandall, who entered after Andrews’ hit, then settled in and struck out the remaining Cyclones.
The Bears got a leadoff double from their catcher in the bottom of seven, but a failed bunt, strikeout and groundout ended the Baylor rally as ISU took a 3-2 win in Waco.
Friday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: N/A
Baylor: N/A
WP – Jaiden Ralston (2-3): 4.2 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – RyLee Crandall (8-5): 1.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts
On Deck
ISU will wrap up the weekend series on Saturday, March 30, when it returns to Getterman Field to face Baylor in the weekend finale rubber match. Saturday’s game is set to start at noon
