AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (16-21, 5-9 Big 12) secured its highest-ranked series win in program history on Saturday afternoon, walking off the fifth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls (34-8, 12-5 Big 12) at the Cyclone Sports Complex and handing OSU its first series loss of the year, 5-2.

Camille Marin’s first home run of the season couldn’t have come at a better time, as the senior torched a three-run shot over the left field fence to walk off the Cowgirls in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Cyclones earned their first ranked series win since taking two-of-three against Baylor last season – a series in which Marin also had a three-run, go-ahead home run in a victory.

Milaysia Ochoa was the story of the game prior to the seventh, as the senior belted a leadoff homer over the center field wall to start the game as part of her two-hit day. Ochoa also had an outstanding grab in center during the game. Angelina Allen, Carli Spelhaug and Marin each had a hit today, as they were the only four Cyclones to notch hits. Allen earned a hit for the 11th consecutive game, setting a new personal best.

Karlie Charles and Jaiden Ralston (3-5) had solid days in the circle for the Cyclones, as ISU has now allowed just seven hits and two runs through two games against a top-five team. Charles got the start, going for three innings and not allowing a hit before Ralston entered in the fourth. Ralston gave up two hits and two runs in the fifth, but locked it down the rest of the way, earning her third win of the season.

OSU’s Jilyen Poullard had a great game, making a handful of impressive stops at third base and notching a two-RBI double in the fifth to put the Cowgirls on the board. Oklahoma State pitcher Ivy Rosenberry (10-3) pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits while surrendering three free passes (one walk and two HBP).

How it Happened

Like Friday, it was a low-scoring pitcher’s duel to start the contest. OSU started the game going three up, three down before the Cyclones came to the plate.

 

In the bottom of the first, Ochoa led the game off with a three-pitch homer that she belted over the center field wall to put Iowa State on top. Rosenberry was able to strike out a pair of Cyclones to get out of the inning.

The teams would combine for just two hits over the next three innings, as neither side was able to get much going at the plate, thanks to the pitching dominance.

That changed in the fifth, when Oklahoma State finally broke through and was able to take a 2-1 lead. A pair of walks were driven in by Poullard who doubled into right center to give the Cowgirls their first advantage of the series.

Though they were held scoreless in the fifth, Iowa State responded in the sixth, tying the game up. Ochoa led the frame off with a double and Allen singled to put runners on the corners. Alesia Ranches then grounded into a double-play but Ochoa was able to score to tie the game at two apiece.

Ralston worked around a walk in the top of the seventh, getting the Cowgirls to ground out, pop out and fly out to give the Cyclone bats one last chance before extras.

Spelhaug started the bottom of the seventh getting hit by a pitch on the first ball of the inning to give the Cyclones the winning run on base. After fouling off the first pitch she saw, Ashley Minor was also hit by a pitch to put a pair on for the Cyclones, moving Spelhaug into scoring position. Runner position didn’t matter though, as Marin stepped into the box and crushed a 1-1 pitch into left, walking off the Cowgirls and giving ISU the series win

On Deck

Iowa State will look for a series sweep tomorrow afternoon, as it returns to the Cyclone Sports Complex for game number three against the fifth-ranked Cowgirls. ISU and OSU are set to play on Sunday at noon and the game will be broadcast live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

 

As a reminder, admission to the Cyclone Sports Complex is free.