CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Iowa State (7-7) saw its potent offense cool off on Sunday, falling to both host-school Virginia (9-4) and Lehigh (3-9). The Cyclone offense that averaged 5.3 runs per game ended up scoring just two on the day.

 

The day started bright and early against the Virginia Cavaliers, as the two teams squared off to start the third day of tournament play. The two teams were meant to play on Saturday but action was postponed to Sunday due to inclement weather. The Hoos went on to win 1-0 in nine innings in a matchup that featured great pitching on both sides.

 

The Cyclones turned around and faced the Lehigh Mountain Hawks for the second time over the weekend – having previously defeated LU on Friday, 5-4. Lehigh scored a pair in both the first and third inning and ISU was unable to overcome the deficit, losing 2-4.

 

Virginia 1, ISU 0 (9 Inn.)
Iowa State and Virginia eventually met on Sunday morning, a day later than initially scheduled due to inclement weather in Charlottesville. The matchup didn’t disappoint, as pitchers and defense on both sides dominated the game. Virginia was able to break a scoreless stalemate in nine innings, walking off the Cyclones.

 

Karlie Charles was spectacular for ISU, pitching the entire game (her 8.1 IP are the most of any Cyclone this season) and only surrendering four hits. Charles issued no walks and struck out seven in what was a two-hitter headed into the ninth.

 

The ISU bats struggled with UVA’s pitching duo of Savannah Henley and Eden Bingham who combined to allow just two Cyclone hits and strikeout 12 on the day. Iowa State was shutout for the first time all season.

 

Sunday’s meeting between the Cyclones and Cavaliers was the first since 1999 when the teams met twice as part of a tournament in Tallahassee, Fla. ISU took both meetings in the tournament, winning against current Cyclone head coach Jamie Pinkerton who was in the dugout for UVA back then as an assistant coach.

 

Sunday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: N/A
Virginia: N/A

 

WP – Eden Bingham (4-2): 6.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Karlie Charles (0-2): 8.1 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 7 strikeouts

 

ISU 2, Lehigh 4
Originally scheduled to be Iowa State’s only game of the day, ISU met Lehigh following after the UVA game.

The Cyclones were able to put together six hits, triple their morning production, but were only able to bring two runs across.

Lehigh’s pitcher, Katelyn Young, went the distance for the Mountain Hawks, pitching all seven innings and registering four strikeouts.

The Cyclones had homered in all but two games going into Sunday, but the ISU bats were held in check, producing below their season average.

Carli Spelhaug played in her 200^th game as a Cyclone on against Lehigh.

Sunday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: N/A
Lehigh: N/A

 

WP – Katelyn Young (2-4): 7.0 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs, 3 walk, 4 strikeouts
SV – N/A
LP – Jaiden Ralston (0-3): 2.2 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 2 walks, 3 strikeouts

 

On Deck

Iowa State will be back in action next weekend, when it travels to Colorado to participate in the Colorado Classic. ISU will face off against Colorado State twice on Friday, March 1 with the first game beginning at 1 p.m. CT.