The Iowa State Cyclones concluded their weekend at the Wilson Invitational in Long Beach, California, with a 3-2 win over Southern Utah followed by a 4-1 loss to California. This performance marked a strong rebound for the team after a challenging showing at the Felsberg Invitational the previous weekend, bringing their overall season record to 4-5. Let’s delve into the exciting matchups that unfolded over the course of this invitational.
Southern Utah Recap
In their first game of the day against Southern Utah, the Cyclones faced off under the sunny California skies. Freshman Sami Potvin took the mound for Iowa State as the Thunderbirds quickly gained a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI double. However, the Cyclones thwarted a potential rally in the second inning, preventing Southern Utah from extending their lead.
Iowa State fought back in the bottom of the third inning, with freshman Sereniti Trice kickstarting the offense with a bunt single, eventually scoring on an RBI single from freshman Jessie Clemons. Both Trice and Clemons showcased their prowess at the plate, each contributing two hits to the team’s offensive efforts.
Sophomore Lauren Schurman entered the game in the fourth inning and made a significant impact, securing the win for the Cyclones while allowing no earned runs during her four innings on the mound. Although Southern Utah managed to score an unearned run in the fourth inning, Iowa State responded in the fifth with a strong offensive surge. Capitalizing on three hits and two errors, the Cyclones scored two crucial runs to take the lead.
With a solid defensive performance in the final innings, limiting Southern Utah to just three hits, Iowa State emerged victorious with a final score of 3-2, marking their third win of the weekend.
California Recap
In their second game of the day against California, the Cyclones faced a formidable opponent. Junior Jaiden Ralston started on the mound for Iowa State as California quickly took control, scoring runs in the first three innings. Schurman once again showcased her pitching prowess after relieving Ralston in the fourth inning, shutting down California’s offense for the remainder of the game.
Despite a strong defensive effort from the Cyclones, the offense struggled to gain momentum against California’s pitching. Junior Angelina Allen provided a bright spot for Iowa State with a double to center field, the team’s lone hit in the first four innings. The game remained a defensive battle, with California holding a slight edge in hits.
The highlight of the game for Iowa State came in the sixth inning when Clemons smashed a solo home run to left field, showcasing the team’s resilience and offensive firepower. However, California maintained their lead, ultimately securing a 4-1 victory over the Cyclones in the final game of the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Cyclones will gear up for the Sun Devil Classic in Arizona next weekend, where they will face off against New Mexico State and Grand Canyon in their upcoming matchups. Stay tuned for more exciting softball action from the Iowa State Cyclones as they continue to showcase their talent and determination on the field.
