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ISU Evens Series with Seventh Inning Comeback

Sports

March 29th, 2024 by Seth Tiegs

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

On Deck

ISU will wrap up the weekend series tomorrow, 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 and will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.