Iowa State softball rallied from an early deficit to secure a 9-7 victory over Houston at the Cyclone Softball Complex. The Cyclones’ win in game two of the series improved their record to 18-10 on the year and 2-3 in the Big 12 Conference. Houston now stands at 17-16 overall and 1-7 in league play following the defeat.
Pinkerton Pleased With Team’s Resilience
“We just kept plugging away,” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “We knew that as good offensively as Houston was, is that we could score and we match up well with them and what their bullpen does. We just knew that if we kept plugging away we could get back in the ball game.”
Cougars Jump to Early Lead
Houston quickly established a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Maddie Hartley opened with a single, and the subsequent three batters walked to load the bases. Kylei Griffin’s groundout drove in Makenna Mitchell. Isabel Cintron’s bunt scored Ariel Redmond. Mandy Esman’s double brought Madox Mitchael home.
Ava Mullen started in the circle for Iowa State but was later replaced by Liv Palumbo, who pitched 2.1 innings.
Cintron was caught stealing home and Shelby Taylor grounded out, which concluded the top of the first.
Cyclones Respond with Three-Run Homer
Jessie Clemons grounded out to begin the bottom of the first inning. Tatum Johnson walked and advanced to second on a single to left by Reagan Bartholomew. Karlee Ford popped up to shortstop for the second out. Malott then hit a three-run homer to centre, reducing Houston’s lead to one run.
Kasey Kane walked, and Kadence Shepherd struck out, ending the inning.
Houston Extends Lead, Iowa State Answers
Hartley grounded out to lead off the second inning. Houston then recorded a pair of singles by Mitchell and Redmond. Mitchael’s double drove in Mitchell, increasing the visitors’ lead to 5-3. Griffin struck out swinging.
The Cyclones managed a pair of singles in the bottom of the second, but Paris Lehman, who came in for Nicole Bodeux, stranded both runners.
Pitching Change Helps Iowa State Secure the Win
In the top of the third, Houston added two more runs: Hartley’s single drove in Esman and Mitchell reached base on a fielder’s choice, driving in Gabby Rawls. Lauren Schurman replaced Palumbo in the circle for the final out of the inning.
Schurman (9-2) earned the win for Iowa State, pitching 3.1 innings.
The bottom of the third and the top of the fourth innings saw three up, three down.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Tiana Poole reached on an error by the shortstop. Johnson drove in Poole, pulling the Cyclones within three.
Houston recorded two quick outs in the top of the fifth. Rawls grounded out, and Taylor’s bunt went to Schurman, who threw to Malott. Houston got two on base with a throwing error and a single, but Redmond grounded out.