AMES, Iowa – Senior Weekend got off to a great start on Friday afternoon, as Iowa State (20-28, 6-16 Big 12) blanked league newcomer UCF (28-22, 10-15) at the Cyclone Sports Complex, 9-0, in five innings in the regular season series finale.
Karlie Charles tossed a gem on day, as the fifth-year senior pitched all five innings, allowing just one hit and shutting out the UCF offense. Sharing the spotlight was fellow fifth-year senior Alesia Ranches, who blasted a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to run rule the Knights.
Angelina Allen had a monster day at the plate, notching three hits and running her season total up to 71 as she went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Ranches and Tiana Poole also both had multi-hit afternoons with a pair apiece. Following Ranches’s team-high of three RBI were Maddie Knowles and Angelita Fuentes who each had two.
As mentioned, Charles (5-7) needed no help, as she threw only 51 pitches on the day with 41 registering as strikes. Charles also picked up three strikeouts and walked no one. It’s the second straight win for Charles who earned the midweek victory over Drake on Wednesday.
For UCF, Jada Cody was the only Knight to get on board as she blooped a single early in the game.
Sarah Willis (8-9) got the start in the circle for UCF, going 1.1 innings and allowing a pair of runs on two hits. Both Angelina DeVoe and Grace Jewell would make relief appearances with Jewell notching a team-high two strikeouts.
How it Happened
The Cyclones struck first, plating one in the first inning. A leadoff walk from Milaysia Ochoa was followed by a single from Allen as two were quickly aboard. A double steal then moved both over into scoring position. With one out, Ashley Minor was hit by her 12th pitch of the season to load the bases. Then, Tatum Johnson flew out to right to score Ochoa and put the Cyclones up 1-0.
ISU added another in the second, again loading the bases with one out. This time, an Allen flyout to left would plate Poole and give ISU a 2-0 lead.
After two quick outs in the third, ISU strung together momentum before scoring another two. An infield single from Poole was followed by a Camille Marin full-count walk. Both runners would then advance into scoring position on a wild pitch. Then, in her first at-bat of the season, Fuentes delivered a rope into center that would score both and give ISU a 4-0 lead.
Both sides were kept at bay in the fourth, as the game turned to the fifth.
The fifth inning started with another Poole infield single. Then, coming up to the plate was Knowles, who promptly cranked a two-run homer over the left field wall. For Knowles, it was her first career blast and gave ISU a 6-0 lead. Following Maddie’s shot, a McKenna Andrews walk and Allen double put two more on for the Cyclones. Finally, Ranches stepped into the box and belted her sixth homer of the season to force a run rule victory for the Cyclones as they took the series-opening win in shutout fashion.
Friday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: Maddie Knowles (1), Alesia Ranches (6)
UCF: N/A
WP – Karlie Charles (5-7): 5.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Sarah Willis (7-8): 1.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout
On Deck
The Cyclones will be back at the Cyclones Sports Complex Saturday May 4, to host the UCF Knights in the second game of the weekend series. Saturday’s game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
