LUBBOCK, Texas – The Iowa State Cyclones (12-17, 1-3 Big 12) picked up its first Big 12 victory in an extra-inning thriller on Friday night against the Texas Tech Red Raiders (26-12, 0-4 Big 12). The Cyclones won 3-2 and are now 2-0 in games decided in extra innings.
The Cyclones trailed the entire game until Ashley Minor delivered a two-out, two-strike RBI single in the seventh inning to tie the game at 2-2. Mikayla Ramos put the Cyclones ahead for good with an RBI double in the eighth inning, her second double of the game.
How it Happened
Clutch hitting from ISU proved to be the deciding factor in this contest as both Minor and Ramos delivered two-out RBI hits in the seventh and eighth innings. The Cyclones outhit the Red Raiders 8-4, including four extra base hits and were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Kasey Simpson blasted her first home run of the season in the third inning to put the Cyclones on the board. Milaysia Ochoa and Ramos combined for four hits and three doubles in the contest.
Texas Tech opened the scoring on a Peyton Blythe RBI single off Cyclone starting pitcher Jaiden Ralston. The Red Raiders would go on to score another run in the bottom of the second to get to their final tally.
The Cyclone pitching combination of Jaiden Ralston, Ellie Spelhaug and Saya Swain held the Red Raider lineup in check. Ralston got the starting nod and hurled 1.1 innings, while allowing two runs to cross the plate. Spelhaug pitched 4.2 innings in relief, allowing no runs on one hit and striking out two. At one point, the senior retired 12 consecutive batters.
Swain (4-5) was the pitcher of record for the Cyclones. Swain came in in the seventh inning and retired all six batters she faced and struck out three.
Senior Kendall Fritz (7-3) went the distance for the Red Raiders but was tagged with her third loss of the year.
Up Next
The Cyclones will continue their series with the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday. First pitch from Rocky Johnson Field is slated for 1 p.m.
